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[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1600 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

113th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1600

    To facilitate the reestablishment of domestic, critical mineral 
    designation, assessment, production, manufacturing, recycling, 
      analysis, forecasting, workforce, education, research, and 
    international capabilities in the United States, and for other 
                               purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 29, 2013

   Ms. Murkowski (for herself, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Udall of Colorado, Mr. 
  Heller, Mr. Enzi, Mrs. Hagan, Mr. Thune, Mr. Coons, Mr. Hoeven, Ms. 
 Landrieu, Mr. Coats, Mr. Begich, Mr. Risch, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Blunt, 
 Mr. Franken, and Mr. Crapo) introduced the following bill; which was 
    read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
                               Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
    To facilitate the reestablishment of domestic, critical mineral 
    designation, assessment, production, manufacturing, recycling, 
      analysis, forecasting, workforce, education, research, and 
    international capabilities in the United States, and for other 
                               purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Critical Minerals 
Policy Act of 2013''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
                   TITLE I--DESIGNATIONS AND POLICIES

Sec. 101. Designations.
Sec. 102. Policy.
Sec. 103. Resource assessment.
Sec. 104. Study.
Sec. 105. Agency review and reports.
Sec. 106. Recycling, efficiency, and supply.
Sec. 107. Alternatives.
Sec. 108. Analysis and forecasting.
Sec. 109. Education and workforce.
Sec. 110. International cooperation.
                   TITLE II--MINERAL-SPECIFIC ACTIONS

Sec. 201. Administration.
Sec. 202. Cobalt.
Sec. 203. Lead.
Sec. 204. Lithium.
Sec. 205. Thorium.
Sec. 206. Nontraditional sources for rare earth elements.
                        TITLE III--MISCELLANEOUS

Sec. 301. Repeal; authorization offset.
Sec. 302. Administration.
Sec. 303. Authorization of appropriations.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Critical mineral.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``critical mineral'' 
                means any mineral or element designated as critical 
                pursuant to section 101.
                    (B) Exclusions.--The term ``critical mineral'' does 
                not include--
                            (i) fuel minerals, including oil, natural 
                        gas, or any other fossil fuels; or
                            (ii) water, ice, or snow.
            (2) Critical mineral manufacturing.--The term ``critical 
        mineral manufacturing'' means--
                    (A) the production, processing, refining, alloying, 
                separation, concentration, magnetic sintering, melting, 
                or beneficiation of critical minerals within the United 
                States;
                    (B) the fabrication, assembly, or production, 
                within the United States, of equipment, components, or 
                other goods with energy technology-, defense-, 
                agriculture-, consumer electronics-, or health care-
                related applications; or
                    (C) any other value-added, manufacturing-related 
                use of critical minerals undertaken within the United 
                States.
            (3) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
        Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
            (4) Military equipment.--The term ``military equipment'' 
        means equipment used directly by the Armed Forces to carry out 
        military operations.
            (5) Rare earth element.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``rare earth element'' 
                means the chemical elements in the periodic table from 
                lanthanum (atomic number 57) up to and including 
                lutetium (atomic number 71).
                    (B) Inclusions.--The term ``rare earth element'' 
                includes the similar chemical elements yttrium (atomic 
                number 39) and scandium (atomic number 21).
            (6) Secretary.--
                    (A) Title i.--In title I, the term ``Secretary'' 
                means the Secretary of the Interior.
                    (B) Title ii.--In title II, the term ``Secretary'' 
                means the Secretary of Energy.
            (7) State.--The term ``State'' means--
                    (A) a State;
                    (B) the District of Columbia;
                    (C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
                    (D) Guam;
                    (E) American Samoa;
                    (F) the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
                Islands; and
                    (G) the United States Virgin Islands.

                   TITLE I--DESIGNATIONS AND POLICIES

SEC. 101. DESIGNATIONS.

    (a) Draft Methodology.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal 
Register for public comment a draft methodology for determining which 
minerals qualify as critical minerals based on an assessment of whether 
the minerals are--
            (1) subject to potential supply restrictions (including 
        restrictions associated with foreign political risk, abrupt 
        demand growth, military conflict, and anti-competitive or 
        protectionist behaviors); and
            (2) important in use (including energy technology-, 
        defense-, agriculture-, consumer electronics-, and health care-
        related applications).
    (b) Availability of Data.--If available data is insufficient to 
provide a quantitative basis for the methodology developed under this 
section, qualitative evidence may be used to the extent necessary.
    (c) Final Methodology.--After reviewing public comments on the 
draft methodology under subsection (a) and updating the draft 
methodology as appropriate, not later than 270 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal 
Register a description of the final methodology for determining which 
minerals qualify as critical minerals.
    (d) Designations.--
            (1) In general.--For purposes of carrying out this title, 
        the Secretary shall maintain a list of minerals and elements 
        designated as critical, pursuant to the methodology under 
        subsection (c), which shall not exceed 20 minerals and elements 
        at any given time.
            (2) Initial list.--Subject to paragraph (1), not later than 
        1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
        shall publish in the Federal Register an initial list of 
        minerals designated as critical pursuant to the final 
        methodology under subsection (c) for the purpose of carrying 
        out this title.
    (e) Subsequent Review.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall review the methodology 
        and designations under subsections (c) and (d) at least every 5 
        years, or more frequently if considered appropriate by the 
        Secretary.
            (2) Revisions.--Subject to subsection (d)(1), the Secretary 
        may--
                    (A) revise the methodology described in this 
                section;
                    (B) determine that minerals previously determined 
                to be critical minerals are no longer critical 
                minerals; and
                    (C) designate additional minerals as critical 
                minerals.
    (f) Notice.--On finalization of the methodology under subsection 
(c), the list under subsection (d), or any revision to the methodology 
or list under subsection (e), the Secretary shall submit to Congress 
written notice of the action.

SEC. 102. POLICY.

    (a) In General.--Section 3 of the National Materials and Minerals 
Policy, Research and Development Act of 1980 (30 U.S.C. 1602) is 
amended in the second sentence--
            (1) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
            ``(3) establish an analytical and forecasting capability 
        for identifying critical mineral demand, supply, and other 
        market dynamics relevant to policy formulation to allow 
        informed actions to be taken to avoid supply shortages, 
        mitigate price volatility, and prepare for demand growth and 
        other market shifts;'';
            (2) in paragraph (6), by striking ``and'' after the 
        semicolon at the end;
            (3) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting a semicolon; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(8) encourage Federal agencies to facilitate the 
        availability, development, and environmentally responsible 
        production of domestic resources to meet national critical 
        material or mineral needs;
            ``(9) avoid duplication of effort, prevent unnecessary 
        paperwork, and minimize unnecessary delays in the 
        administration of applicable laws (including regulations) and 
        the issuance of permits and authorizations necessary to explore 
        for, develop, and produce critical minerals and to construct 
        critical mineral manufacturing facilities in accordance with 
        applicable environmental and land management laws;
            ``(10) strengthen educational and research capabilities and 
        workforce training;
            ``(11) bolster international cooperation through technology 
        transfer, information sharing, and other means;
            ``(12) promote the efficient production, use, and recycling 
        of critical minerals;
            ``(13) develop alternatives to critical minerals; and
            ``(14) establish contingencies for the production of, or 
        access to, critical minerals for which viable sources do not 
        exist within the United States.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 2(b) of the National Materials 
and Minerals Policy, Research and Development Act of 1980 (30 U.S.C. 
1601(b)) is amended by striking ``(b) As used in this Act, the term'' 
and inserting the following:
    ``(b) Definitions.--In this Act:
            ``(1) Critical mineral.--The term `critical mineral' means 
        any mineral designated as a critical mineral pursuant to 
        section 101 of the Critical Minerals Policy Act of 2013.
            ``(2) Materials.--The term''.

SEC. 103. RESOURCE ASSESSMENT.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, in consultation with applicable State (including 
geological surveys), local, academic, industry, and other entities, the 
Secretary shall complete, using established resource assessment 
methodologies and authorities of the United States Geological Survey, a 
comprehensive national assessment of each critical mineral that--
            (1) identifies and quantifies known critical mineral 
        resources, using all available public and private information 
        and datasets, including exploration histories;
            (2) estimates the cost of production of the critical 
        mineral resources identified and quantified under this section, 
        using all available public and private information and 
        datasets, including exploration histories;
            (3) provides a quantitative and qualitative assessment of 
        undiscovered critical mineral resources throughout the United 
        States on land available for mineral production, including 
        probability estimates of tonnage and grade, using all available 
        public and private information and datasets, including 
        exploration histories; and
            (4) provides qualitative information on the environmental 
        attributes of the critical mineral resources identified under 
        this section.
    (b) Supplementary Information.--In carrying out this section, the 
Secretary (acting through the Director of the United States Geological 
Survey) may carry out, consistent with applicable law, surveys 
necessary or appropriate to supplement existing information and 
datasets available for determining the existence of critical minerals 
in the United States.
    (c) Technical Assistance.--At the request of the Governor of a 
State or the head of an Indian tribe, the Secretary may provide 
technical assistance to State governments and Indian tribes conducting 
critical mineral resource assessments on non-Federal land.
    (d) Prioritization.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary may sequence the completion 
        of resource assessments for each critical mineral such that 
        critical minerals considered to be most critical under the 
        methodology established under section 101 are completed first.
            (2) Reporting.--During the period beginning not later than 
        1 year after the date of enactment of this Act and ending on 
        date of the completion of all of the assessments required under 
        this section, the Secretary shall submit to Congress on an 
        annual basis an interim report that--
                    (A) identifies the sequence and schedule for 
                completion of the assessments if the Secretary 
                sequences the assessments; or
                    (B) describes the progress of the assessments if 
                the Secretary does not sequence the assessments.
    (e) Updates.--The Secretary may periodically update the assessment 
conducted under this section based on--
            (1) the generation of new information or datasets by the 
        Federal Government; or
            (2) the receipt of new information or datasets from 
        critical mineral producers, State geological surveys, academic 
        institutions, trade associations, or other entities or 
        individuals.

SEC. 104. STUDY.

    The Secretary shall enter into an arrangement with the National 
Academy of Sciences (referred to in this section as the ``Academy'') 
under which the Academy shall provide an update of the 1999 report of 
the Academy entitled ``Hardrock Mining on Federal Lands'', prepared 
pursuant to section 120 of the Department of the Interior and Related 
Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 (Public Law 105-277; 112 Stat. 2681-
257), including an examination of--
            (1) regulatory changes implemented since 1999 and the 
        extent to which the changes address recommendations made in the 
        report;
            (2) additional steps that can be taken--
                    (A) to improve the quality and timeliness of final 
                decisions on applications, operating plans, leases, 
                licenses, permits, and other use authorizations for 
                hardrock mining activities on Federal land;
                    (B) to prevent unnecessary or undue degradation of 
                Federal land; and
                    (C) to improve inspection and enforcement of 
                hardrock mine and related sites on Federal land; and
            (3) the number and location of abandoned hardrock mines.

SEC. 105. AGENCY REVIEW AND REPORTS.

    (a) Performance Improvements.--To improve the quality and 
timeliness of decisions, the Secretary (acting through the Director of 
the Bureau of Land Management) and the Secretary of Agriculture (acting 
through the Chief of the Forest Service) (referred to in this section 
as the ``Secretaries'') shall, to the maximum extent practicable, with 
respect to critical mineral production on Federal land--
            (1) ensure that Federal permitting and review processes 
        inform decisionmakers and affected communities about the 
        potential positive and negative impacts of proposed mining 
        activities;
            (2) ensure that mining activities are carried out in a 
        manner that is consistent with protecting the public health, 
        welfare, safety, national security, and environment of the 
        United States; and
            (3) execute Federal permitting and review processes, 
        consistent with available resources, with maximum efficiency 
        and effectiveness, while ensuring the health, safety, and 
        security of communities and the environment and supporting 
        vital economic growth, by--
                    (A) setting and adhering to timelines and schedules 
                for completion of reviews and for inspection and 
                enforcement activities;
                    (B) setting clear permitting performance goals and 
                tracking progress against those goals;
                    (C) encouraging early collaboration among agencies, 
                project sponsors, and affected stakeholders to 
                incorporate and address their interests and minimize 
                delays;
                    (D) providing for transparency and accountability 
                by using cost-effective information technology to 
                collect and disseminate information about individual 
                projects and agency performance;
                    (E) achieving early and active consultation with 
                State, local, and tribal governments to avoid conflicts 
                or duplication of effort, resolve concerns, and allow 
                for concurrent rather than sequential reviews;
                    (F) providing demonstrable improvements in the 
                performance of Federal permitting and review processes, 
                including lower costs, more timely decisions, and a 
                healthier and cleaner environment;
                    (G) expanding and institutionalizing permitting and 
                review process improvements that have proven effective;
                    (H) developing mechanisms to better communicate 
                priorities and resolve disputes among agencies at the 
                national and regional levels; and
                    (I) developing other practices, such as pre-
                application procedures.
    (b) Review and Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
receipt of the report of the study under section 104, the Secretaries 
shall submit to Congress a report that--
            (1) describes the recommendations from the study under 
        section 104 that the Secretaries have existing legal authority 
        for and intend to implement, including estimated timelines for 
        the implementation;
            (2) identifies additional measures (including regulatory 
        and legislative proposals, as appropriate) that would--
                    (A) increase the effectiveness and operational 
                efficiency of agency management of permitting 
                activities for the exploration and development of 
                domestic critical minerals; and
                    (B) improve the effectiveness of environmental 
                analysis and inspection and enforcement activities 
                relating to critical mineral-related activities on 
                Federal land;
            (3) identifies options (including cost recovery paid by 
        applicants) for ensuring adequate staffing (including training 
        programs) of Federal entities responsible for--
                    (A) the consideration of applications, operating 
                plans, leases, licenses, permits, and other use 
                authorizations for critical mineral-related activities 
                on Federal land; and
                    (B) environmental analysis and inspection and 
                enforcement activities with respect to the critical 
                mineral-related activities;
            (4) in coordination with the heads of other appropriate 
        Federal agencies, assesses whether Federal laws (including 
        regulations and tax provisions) or policies are adversely 
        affecting or are enhancing the global competitiveness of, or 
        investment in, the domestic critical minerals industry, 
        including the critical minerals manufacturing industry;
            (5) quantifies the amount of time typically required to 
        complete each step associated with the development and 
        processing of applications, operating plans, leases, licenses, 
        permits, and other use authorizations for critical mineral-
        related activities on Federal land; and
            (6) describes actions taken pursuant to subsection (a).
    (c) Annual Reports.--Beginning with the first budget submission by 
the President under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, after 
submission to Congress of the report under subsection (b), and for the 
next 10 annual budget submissions thereafter, the Secretaries shall 
submit to Congress a report on--
            (1) the implementation of recommendations, measures, and 
        options identified in paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection 
        (b);
            (2) achievement of, or progress towards, the target levels 
        of performance developed under subsection (d);
            (3) actions taken under subsection (a); and
            (4) the quantity, type, and estimated value (by mineral 
        type) of--
                    (A) critical minerals produced on Federal land; and
                    (B) all hardrock minerals produced on Federal land.
    (d) Metrics of Agency Performance.--
            (1) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
        of the submission of the report under subsection (b), the 
        Secretaries, after public notice and comment, shall develop and 
        publish target levels of performance for agency management of 
        activities associated with the exploration for and development 
        of domestic critical minerals in accordance with applicable 
        laws, against which actual achievement or progress can be 
        compared, in--
                    (A) the timeliness of decisions, taking into 
                consideration the evaluation described in subsection 
                (b)(5);
                    (B) cost savings; and
                    (C) improved health and environmental performance.
            (2) Incorporation in annual performance plans.--The 
        Secretaries shall use the target levels of performance under 
        paragraph (1) as performance goals in the appropriate agency 
        performance plans under section 1115 of title 31, United States 
        Code.
    (e) Judicial Review.--
            (1) In general.--Nothing in this section affects the 
        judicial review of an agency action under any provision of law.
            (2) Construction.--This section--
                    (A) is intended to improve the internal management 
                of the Federal Government; and
                    (B) does not create any right or benefit, 
                substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or equity 
                by a party against the United States (including an 
                agency, instrumentality, officer, or employee) or any 
                other person.
    (f) Administration.--Nothing in this section relieves the Secretary 
of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture of any obligation or 
duty under any other applicable law (including regulations).

SEC. 106. RECYCLING, EFFICIENCY, AND SUPPLY.

    (a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Energy shall conduct a program 
of research and development to promote the efficient production, use, 
and recycling of critical minerals throughout the supply chain.
    (b) Cooperation.--In carrying out the program, the Secretary of 
Energy shall cooperate with appropriate--
            (1) Federal agencies and National Laboratories;
            (2) critical mineral producers;
            (3) critical mineral processors;
            (4) critical mineral manufacturers;
            (5) trade associations;
            (6) academic institutions;
            (7) small businesses; and
            (8) other relevant entities or individuals.
    (c) Activities.--Under the program, the Secretary of Energy shall 
carry out activities that include the identification and development 
of--
            (1) advanced critical mineral extraction, production, 
        separation, alloying, or processing technologies that decrease 
        the energy consumption, environmental impact, and costs of 
        those activities, including--
                    (A) efficient water and wastewater management 
                strategies;
                    (B) technologies and management strategies to 
                control the environmental impacts of radionuclides in 
                ore tailings; and
                    (C) technologies for separation and processing;
            (2) technologies or process improvements that minimize the 
        use, or lead to more efficient use, of critical minerals across 
        the full supply chain;
            (3) technologies, process improvements, or design 
        optimizations that facilitate the recycling of critical 
        minerals, and options for improving the rates of collection of 
        products and scrap containing critical minerals from post-
        consumer, industrial, or other waste streams;
            (4) commercial markets, advanced storage methods, energy 
        applications, and other beneficial uses of critical minerals 
        processing byproducts; and
            (5) alternative minerals, metals, and materials, 
        particularly those available in abundance within the United 
        States and not subject to potential supply restrictions, that 
        lessen the need for critical minerals.
    (d) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall submit to Congress a report 
summarizing the activities, findings, and progress of the program.

SEC. 107. ALTERNATIVES.

    (a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Energy shall conduct a program 
of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application to 
promote the development of alternatives to critical minerals.
    (b) Cooperation.--In carrying out the program, the Secretary of 
Energy shall cooperate with appropriate--
            (1) Federal agencies (including National Laboratories);
            (2) critical mineral producers;
            (3) critical mineral manufacturers;
            (4) trade associations;
            (5) academic institutions;
            (6) small businesses; and
            (7) other relevant entities or individuals.
    (c) Activities.--To lessen the need for critical minerals, the 
program under this section shall carry out activities that include the 
identification and development of--
            (1) alternative minerals, metals, and minerals used in 
        energy technologies, particularly those that are available in 
        abundance in the United States and are not subject to potential 
        supply restrictions; and
            (2) alternative energy technologies or alternative designs 
        of existing energy technologies, particularly those that use 
        minerals in abundance in the United States and are not subject 
        to potential supply restrictions.
    (d) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall submit to Congress a report 
summarizing the activities, findings, and progress of the program under 
this section.

SEC. 108. ANALYSIS AND FORECASTING.

    (a) Capabilities.--In order to evaluate existing critical mineral 
policies and inform future actions that may be taken to avoid supply 
shortages, mitigate price volatility, and prepare for demand growth and 
other market shifts, the Secretary, in consultation with academic 
institutions, the Energy Information Administration, and others in 
order to maximize the application of existing competencies related to 
developing and maintaining computer-models and similar analytical 
tools, shall conduct and publish the results of an annual report that 
includes--
            (1) as part of the annually published Mineral Commodity 
        Summaries from the United States Geological Survey, a 
        comprehensive review of critical mineral production, 
        consumption, and recycling patterns, including--
                    (A) the quantity of each critical mineral 
                domestically produced during the preceding year;
                    (B) the quantity of each critical mineral 
                domestically consumed during the preceding year;
                    (C) market price data for each critical mineral;
                    (D) an assessment of--
                            (i) critical mineral requirements to meet 
                        the national security, energy, economic, 
                        industrial, technological, and other needs of 
                        the United States during the preceding year;
                            (ii) the reliance of the United States on 
                        foreign sources to meet those needs during the 
                        preceding year; and
                            (iii) the implications of any supply 
                        shortages, restrictions, or disruptions during 
                        the preceding year;
                    (E) the quantity of each critical mineral 
                domestically recycled during the preceding year;
                    (F) the market penetration during the preceding 
                year of alternatives to each critical mineral;
                    (G) a discussion of applicable international trends 
                associated with the discovery, production, consumption, 
                use, costs of production, prices, and recycling of each 
                critical mineral as well as the development of 
                alternatives to critical minerals; and
                    (H) such other data, analyses, and evaluations as 
                the Secretary finds are necessary to achieve the 
                purposes of this section; and
            (2) a comprehensive forecast, entitled the ``Annual 
        Critical Minerals Outlook'', of projected critical mineral 
        production, consumption, and recycling patterns, including--
                    (A) the quantity of each critical mineral projected 
                to be domestically produced over the subsequent 1-year, 
                5-year, and 10-year periods;
                    (B) the quantity of each critical mineral projected 
                to be domestically consumed over the subsequent 1-year, 
                5-year, and 10-year periods;
                    (C) market price projections for each critical 
                mineral, to the maximum extent practicable and based on 
                the best available information;
                    (D) an assessment of--
                            (i) critical mineral requirements to meet 
                        projected national security, energy, economic, 
                        industrial, technological, and other needs of 
                        the United States;
                            (ii) the projected reliance of the United 
                        States on foreign sources to meet those needs; 
                        and
                            (iii) the projected implications of 
                        potential supply shortages, restrictions, or 
                        disruptions;
                    (E) the quantity of each critical mineral projected 
                to be domestically recycled over the subsequent 1-year, 
                5-year, and 10-year periods;
                    (F) the market penetration of alternatives to each 
                critical mineral projected to take place over the 
                subsequent 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year periods;
                    (G) a discussion of reasonably foreseeable 
                international trends associated with the discovery, 
                production, consumption, use, costs of production, 
                prices, and recycling of each critical mineral as well 
                as the development of alternatives to critical 
                minerals; and
                    (H) such other projections relating to each 
                critical mineral as the Secretary determines to be 
                necessary to achieve the purposes of this section.
    (b) Proprietary Information.--In preparing a report described in 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure, consistent with section 
5(f) of the National Materials and Minerals Policy, Research and 
Development Act of 1980 (30 U.S.C. 1604(f)), that--
            (1) no person uses the information and data collected for 
        the report for a purpose other than the development of or 
        reporting of aggregate data in a manner such that the identity 
        of the person who supplied the information is not discernible 
        and is not material to the intended uses of the information;
            (2) no person discloses any information or data collected 
        for the report unless the information or data has been 
        transformed into a statistical or aggregate form that does not 
        allow the identification of the person who supplied particular 
        information; and
            (3) procedures are established to require the withholding 
        of any information or data collected for the report if the 
        Secretary determines that withholding is necessary to protect 
        proprietary information, including any trade secrets or other 
        confidential information.

SEC. 109. EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE.

    (a) Workforce Assessment.--Not later than 1 year and 300 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor (in 
consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, the Director of the 
National Science Foundation, and employers in the critical minerals 
sector) shall submit to Congress an assessment of the domestic 
availability of technically trained personnel necessary for critical 
mineral assessment, production, manufacturing, recycling, analysis, 
forecasting, education, and research, including an analysis of--
            (1) skills that are in the shortest supply as of the date 
        of the assessment;
            (2) skills that are projected to be in short supply in the 
        future;
            (3) the demographics of the critical minerals industry and 
        how the demographics will evolve under the influence of factors 
        such as an aging workforce;
            (4) the effectiveness of training and education programs in 
        addressing skills shortages;
            (5) opportunities to hire locally for new and existing 
        critical mineral activities;
            (6) the sufficiency of personnel within relevant areas of 
        the Federal Government for achieving the policies described in 
        section 3 of the National Materials and Minerals Policy, 
        Research and Development Act of 1980 (30 U.S.C. 1602); and
            (7) the potential need for new training programs to have a 
        measurable effect on the supply of trained workers in the 
        critical minerals industry.
    (b) Curriculum Study.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary and the Secretary of Labor 
        shall jointly enter into an arrangement with the National 
        Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering 
        under which the Academies shall coordinate with the National 
        Science Foundation on conducting a study--
                    (A) to design an interdisciplinary program on 
                critical minerals that will support the critical 
                mineral supply chain and improve the ability of the 
                United States to increase domestic, critical mineral 
                exploration, development, and manufacturing;
                    (B) to address undergraduate and graduate 
                education, especially to assist in the development of 
                graduate level programs of research and instruction 
                that lead to advanced degrees with an emphasis on the 
                critical mineral supply chain or other positions that 
                will increase domestic, critical mineral exploration, 
                development, and manufacturing;
                    (C) to develop guidelines for proposals from 
                institutions of higher education with substantial 
                capabilities in the required disciplines to improve the 
                critical mineral supply chain and advance the capacity 
                of the United States to increase domestic, critical 
                mineral exploration, development, and manufacturing; 
                and
                    (D) to outline criteria for evaluating performance 
                and recommendations for the amount of funding that will 
                be necessary to establish and carry out the grant 
                program described in subsection (c).
            (2) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
        description of the results of the study required under 
        paragraph (1).
    (c) Grant Program.--
            (1) Establishment.--The Secretary and the National Science 
        Foundation shall jointly conduct a competitive grant program 
        under which institutions of higher education may apply for and 
        receive 4-year grants for--
                    (A) startup costs for newly designated faculty 
                positions in integrated critical mineral education, 
                research, innovation, training, and workforce 
                development programs consistent with subsection (b);
                    (B) internships, scholarships, and fellowships for 
                students enrolled in programs related to critical 
                minerals; and
                    (C) equipment necessary for integrated critical 
                mineral innovation, training, and workforce development 
                programs.
            (2) Renewal.--A grant under this subsection shall be 
        renewable for up to 2 additional 3-year terms based on 
        performance criteria outlined under subsection (b)(1)(D).

SEC. 110. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION.

    (a) Establishment.--The Secretary of State, in coordination with 
the Secretary and the Secretary of Energy, shall carry out a program to 
promote international cooperation on critical mineral supply chain 
issues with allies of the United States.
    (b) Activities.--Under the program, the Secretary of State may work 
with allies of the United States--
            (1) to increase the global, responsible production of 
        critical minerals, if a determination is made by the Secretary 
        of State that there is no viable production capacity for the 
        critical minerals within the United States;
            (2) to improve the efficiency and environmental performance 
        of extraction techniques;
            (3) to increase the recycling of, and deployment of 
        alternatives to, critical minerals;
            (4) to assist in the development and transfer of critical 
        mineral extraction, processing, and manufacturing technologies 
        that would have a beneficial impact on world commodity markets 
        and the environment;
            (5) to strengthen and maintain intellectual property 
        protections; and
            (6) to facilitate the collection of information necessary 
        for analyses and forecasts conducted pursuant to section 108.

                   TITLE II--MINERAL-SPECIFIC ACTIONS

SEC. 201. ADMINISTRATION.

    Nothing in this title or an amendment made by this title affects 
the methodology or designations established under section 101.

SEC. 202. COBALT.

    (a) Authorization.--The Secretary shall support research programs 
that focus on novel uses for cobalt (including energy technologies and 
super-alloys), including--
            (1) use in energy technologies (including, for purposes of 
        this section, rechargeable batteries, catalysts, photovoltaic 
        cells, permanent magnets, and fuel cells);
            (2) use in alloys with military equipment, civil aviation, 
        and electricity generation applications; and
            (3) use as coal-to-gas and coal-to-liquid catalysts.
    (b) Categories.--Research under this section shall be conducted 
in--
            (1) a fundamental category, including laboratory and 
        literature research; and
            (2) an applied category, including plant and field 
        research.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing--
            (1) the research programs carried out under this section;
            (2) the findings of the programs; and
            (3) future research efforts planned.

SEC. 203. LEAD.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall support research programs that 
focus on advanced lead manufacturing processes, including programs 
that--
            (1) contribute to the establishment of a secure, domestic 
        supply of lead;
            (2) produce technologies that represent an environmental 
        improvement compared to conventional production processes; or
            (3) produce technologies that attain a higher efficiency 
        level compared to conventional production processes.
    (b) Coordination.--In carrying out the programs under subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall coordinate with other entities to promote the 
development of environmentally responsible lead manufacturing, 
including--
            (1) other Federal agencies;
            (2) States with affected interests;
            (3) manufacturers;
            (4) energy technology manufacturers, including producers of 
        batteries and other energy storage technologies; and
            (5) any others considered appropriate by the Secretary.

SEC. 204. LITHIUM.

    Subtitle E of title VI of the Energy Independence and Security Act 
of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17241 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:

``SEC. 657. GRANTS FOR LITHIUM PRODUCTION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

    ``(a) Definition of Eligible Entity.--In this section, the term 
`eligible entity' means--
            ``(1) a private partnership or other entity that is--
                    ``(A) organized in accordance with Federal law; and
                    ``(B) engaged in lithium production for use in 
                advanced battery technologies;
            ``(2) a public entity, such as a State, tribal, or local 
        governmental entity; or
            ``(3) a consortium of entities described in paragraphs (1) 
        and (2).
    ``(b) Grants.--The Secretary shall provide grants to eligible 
entities for research, development, demonstration, and commercial 
application of domestic industrial processes that are designed to 
enhance domestic lithium production for use in advanced battery 
technologies, as determined by the Secretary.
    ``(c) Use.--An eligible entity shall use a grant provided under 
this section to develop or enhance--
            ``(1) domestic industrial processes that increase lithium 
        production, processing, or recycling for use in advanced 
        lithium batteries; or
            ``(2) industrial processes associated with new formulations 
        of lithium feedstock for use in advanced lithium batteries.''.

SEC. 205. THORIUM.

    (a) Study.--The Secretary, in consultation with the Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission, shall conduct a study on the technical, 
economic, and policy issues (including nonproliferation) associated 
with establishing a licensing pathway for the complete thorium nuclear 
fuel cycle (including mining, milling, processing, fabrication, 
reactors, disposal, and decommissioning) that--
            (1) identifies the gaps in the technical knowledge that 
        could lead to a licensing pathway; and
            (2) considers technologies and applications for any thorium 
        byproducts of critical mineral production or processing.
    (b) Cooperation.--In conducting the study under subsection (a), the 
Secretary shall cooperate with appropriate--
            (1) trade associations;
            (2) equipment manufacturers;
            (3) National Laboratories;
            (4) institutions of higher education; and
            (5) other applicable entities.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report summarizing 
the findings of the study.

SEC. 206. NONTRADITIONAL SOURCES FOR RARE EARTH ELEMENTS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall conduct a program to identify, 
research, and develop rare earth elements from nontraditional sources 
that--
            (1) identifies and assesses the technological feasibility 
        of extracting rare earth elements from nontraditional sources;
            (2) develops advanced rare earth element processing 
        technologies to increase the economic viability and improve the 
        environmental impact of recovering rare earth elements from 
        identified nontraditional sources; and
            (3) provides technical assistance to industrial partners to 
        develop and demonstrate rare earth element recovery from 
        identified nontraditional sources.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report summarizing 
the activities, findings, and progress of the program.

                        TITLE III--MISCELLANEOUS

SEC. 301. REPEAL; AUTHORIZATION OFFSET.

    (a) Repeal.--
            (1) In general.--The National Critical Materials Act of 
        1984 (30 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) is repealed.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 3(d) of the National 
        Superconductivity and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 
        5202(d)) is amended in the first sentence by striking ``, with 
        the assistance of the National Critical Materials Council as 
        specified in the National Critical Materials Act of 1984 (30 
        U.S.C. 1801 et seq.),''.
    (b) Authorization Offset.--Section 207(c) of the Energy 
Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17022(c)) is amended 
by inserting before the period at the end the following: ``, except 
that the amount authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
not appropriated as of the date of enactment of the Critical Minerals 
Policy Act of 2013 shall be reduced by $60,000,000''.

SEC. 302. ADMINISTRATION.

    Nothing in this Act or an amendment made by this Act modifies any 
requirement or authority provided by the matter under the heading 
``GEOLOGICAL SURVEY'' of the first section of the Act of March 3, 1879 
(43 U.S.C. 31(a)).

SEC. 303. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act and 
the amendments made by this Act $60,000,000, of which--
            (1) $2,000,000 may be used to carry out section 101, to 
        remain available until expended;
            (2) $20,000,000 may be used to carry out the amendment made 
        by section 103, to remain available until expended;
            (3) $2,000,000 may be used to carry out section 104, to 
        remain available until expended;
            (4) $8,000,000 may be used to carry out section 105, to 
        remain available until expended;
            (5) $1,5000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 and 2015 may 
        be used to carry out each of sections 106 and 107, to remain 
        available until expended;
            (6) $4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 and 2015 may 
        be used to carry out section 108, to remain available until 
        expended;
            (7) $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 and 2015 may 
        be used to carry out section 109, to remain available until 
        expended;
            (8) $500,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 and 2015 may be 
        used to carry out section 110, to remain available until 
        expended;
            (9) $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 and 2015 may 
        be used to carry out each of sections 202, 203, 204, and 206 
        and the amendments made by those sections; and
            (10) $1,000,000 may be used to carry out section 205, to 
        remain available until expended.
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