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US Government News

Official announcements from the Department of Energy and federal agencies on mining, critical minerals, and energy policy

Energy Deputy Secretary Danly Commends FERC Action on Large Load Interconnection Reform
US Gov't

<p class="summary">The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has announced its commitment to take definitive action by June 2026 on reforms for large load interconnection, a directive issued by U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. This initiative, strongly commended by Deputy Secretary of Energy James P. Danly, aims to streamline the grid integration of major industrial and commercial consumers, support the co-location of generation and demand, and accelerate new power infrastructure to achieve American energy dominance and ensure affordable, reliable energy for the nation. For the mining industry, which depends heavily on substantial, consistent power supplies, these reforms promise to unlock bottlenecks, improve project viability, and strengthen domestic mineral production.</p>

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Wright, Zeldin, and Burgum Break Ground on NESE Pipeline in New York City to Deliver Reliable, Affordable Natural Gas to the Northeast
US Gov't

On April 14, 2026, a groundbreaking ceremony in New York City officially commenced construction of the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) Pipeline, a critical project by Williams Companies aimed at delivering natural gas from Pennsylvania to New York City and Long Island. Expected to be in service by late 2027, the NESE pipeline will add 400,000 dekatherms per day of capacity, poised to significantly lower energy costs for millions and bolster energy reliability across the Northeast. This major infrastructure development highlights a strategic federal initiative to enhance American energy independence and presents substantial implications for the broader U.S. industrial and mining sectors.

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Energy Security for Indo-Pacific Endurance, a Global Growth Center of the 21st Century
US Gov't

<p></p> <p>The Indo-Pacific Energy Security Ministerial and Business Forum, held in Tokyo on March 14–15, 2026, convened twelve nations to forge a collective strategy for ensuring stable and secure energy supply in the region. Co-hosted by U.S. and Japanese energy leaders, the discussions emphasized robust supply chains, diversification of energy sources, and extensive investment, signaling profound implications for the global mining sector, particularly in critical minerals and uranium for nuclear energy development.</p> <p>

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DOE’s Office of Energy Dominance Financing Announces Conditional Commitment for a Domestic Medical Isotope Manufacturing Facility
US Gov't

The U.S. Department of Energy has issued a conditional commitment for a $263 million loan to SHINE Chrysalis, LLC, for a high-volume medical isotope production facility in Janesville, Wisconsin. This strategic investment aims to establish the nation's sole domestic commercial supply of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), a critical isotope for millions of diagnostic imaging and cancer treatment procedures, thereby enhancing national energy dominance, medical supply chain security, and a robust nuclear workforce.

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FACT SHEET: California’s War on American Energy Impoverishes Residents and Harms National Security
US Gov't

California's aggressive energy policies have led to the highest electricity and gasoline prices in the nation, crippling residents and industries while tripling the state's reliance on often volatile foreign oil imports. A recent federal intervention, led by President Trump and U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, has mandated Sable Offshore Corp. to resume operations of the Santa Ynez Unit and its associated pipeline, significantly boosting California's domestic oil production by 15 percent and replacing vital foreign crude supplies. This strategic move aims to enhance national energy security and mitigate the economic vulnerabilities created by restrictive state policies.

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Trump Administration Keeps Colorado Coal Plant Open to Ensure Affordable, Reliable and Secure Power in Colorado
US Gov't

<p></p> <p>In a significant move to bolster grid stability, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright issued an emergency order on March 30, 2026, directing the continued operation of Unit 1 at the Craig Station coal plant in Craig, Colorado, through June 28, 2026. This mandate overturns a previous plan for the unit's shutdown, underscoring the Trump Administration's commitment to prioritizing affordable, reliable, and secure electricity amidst concerns over potential blackouts and the impact of earlier "energy subtraction policies." The decision, which involves major utilities and grid operators, signals a notable reprieve for the coal mining sector, with over 17 gigawatts of coal-power generation reportedly saved in 2025.</p> <p>

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DOE and GSA Announce Collaborative Effort for a New Headquarters for the U.S. Department of Energy
US Gov't

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in collaboration with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), announced today, March 26, 2026, its plan to relocate its headquarters from the James V. Forrestal Building to the Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) building. This strategic move, which involves the U.S. Department of Education vacating the LBJ building, is projected to save taxpayers over $350 million in deferred maintenance and modernization costs, aligning with the Trump Administration's broader initiative to streamline federal real estate and promote governmental efficiency. This relocation is significant for the mining industry as an optimized DOE operation can lead to more effective energy policies, critical minerals strategy, and R&D funding, ultimately impacting resource markets and supply chain resilience.

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Energy Department Announces $50 Million Investment to Advance Affordable, Reliable, and Secure Energy for Tribes
US Gov't

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Indian Energy has unveiled a significant $50 million Notice of Funding Opportunity aimed at bolstering energy reliability, access, and affordability within Tribal communities. This initiative, announced on March 25, 2026, supports both community-scale and large-scale Tribal-led energy project development, reflecting the administration's commitment to strengthening Tribal economies and energy independence. The investment is poised to have notable implications for the mining industry, particularly concerning localized energy supply, operational stability, and the responsible development of critical mineral resources in regions near or on Tribal lands.

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Trump Administration Keeps Indiana Coal Plants Open to Ensure Affordable, Reliable and Secure Power in the Midwest
US Gov't

On March 23, 2026, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright issued emergency orders to temporarily keep two Indiana coal-fired power plants, R.M. Schahfer and F.B. Culley, operational from March 24, 2026, through June 21, 2026. These plants, originally slated for retirement by the end of 2025, are deemed crucial for maintaining grid reliability and ensuring affordable electricity in the Midwest, following concerns raised by MISO and NERC about increasing blackout risks amidst a national energy transition. This action highlights the ongoing strategic importance of thermal coal to national energy security, providing a critical, albeit temporary, demand signal for the mining sector.

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Energy Department Announces Partnership to Ensure Affordable Energy and Power America’s AI Future
US Gov't

The U.S. Departments of Energy and Commerce, in partnership with SoftBank’s SB Energy and AEP Ohio, have announced a transformative $37.5 billion public-private initiative to redevelop federal land in Southern Ohio. This ambitious project aims to construct 10 gigawatts of new power generation, primarily natural gas, to fuel a colossal 10-gigawatt data center facility, significantly advancing America’s artificial intelligence capabilities and modernizing regional energy infrastructure. The initiative is poised to generate thousands of jobs, reduce electricity costs, and bolster national security, with substantial implications for the upstream natural gas sector and critical minerals supply chains.

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Energy Department Announces $500 Million to Strengthen Domestic Critical Materials Processing and Manufacturing
US Gov't

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for up to $500 million, aimed at significantly expanding domestic critical mineral and materials processing, derivative battery manufacturing, and recycling capabilities. Revealed on March 13, 2026, by the DOE's Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI), this funding initiative marks the third round of investment in strengthening the nation's battery supply chains, targeting key minerals like lithium, graphite, nickel, copper, and aluminum crucial for defense, grid resilience, and transportation sectors. This strategic move emphasizes reducing reliance on foreign actors, bolstering national security, and positioning the U.S. for energy dominance amidst rising global demand for advanced energy technologies.

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Energy Department Announces $293 Million in Funding to Support Genesis Mission National Science and Technology Challenges
US Gov't

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a substantial $293 million funding opportunity through its "Genesis Mission: Transforming Science and Energy with AI" Request for Application (RFA). This initiative invites interdisciplinary teams from National Laboratories, U.S. industry, and academia to develop novel AI solutions addressing over 20 critical national challenges, including advanced manufacturing and, most significantly for our sector, critical materials. This investment aims to leverage artificial intelligence to bolster scientific discovery, enhance energy security, and strengthen domestic supply chains, presenting a significant opportunity for the U.S. mining industry to modernize and innovate.

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Trump Administration Keeps Coal Plant Open to Ensure Affordable, Reliable and Secure Power in the Northwest
US Gov't

The U.S. Department of Energy, under Secretary Chris Wright, has issued an emergency order mandating TransAlta to keep Unit 2 of the Centralia Generating Station in Washington operational. This decision, aimed at averting significant grid reliability issues and potential blackouts across the Northwestern United States, directly counters the unit's scheduled shutdown at the end of 2025. The move signals a broader Trump administration strategy to preserve coal-fired power for grid stability and affordability, impacting the energy generation and coal mining sectors.

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