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Earthworks fact sheet

Updated: Oct 03, 2012

From the fact sheet:

S .1113 (a substitute for HR 4402), co-authored by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R- AK) and Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), is a backdoor attempt to redefine minerals “critical” to the United States, and then muffle the voices of the communities and the environment potentially impacted by mining of these “critical” minerals.

A Department of Energy study and pro-industry think tank surveys of mining companies indicate that existing U.S. mining oversight does not impede critical minerals development.

Earthworks opposes this bill because:

  • We don’t need to sacrifice environmental and community protections to encourage critical minerals development.
  • Proposals to change how the public participates in decisions affecting public lands should allow the public to participate in the shaping of the proposal – including a full debate and a recorded vote.