Kinzinger sponsors clean energy bill focused on diversifying mineral supply chain

U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) recently introduced bipartisan legislation that would better position the United States and its allies to meet the increased demand for clean energy technologies.

“This legislation will ensure that the United States remains the global leader in clean technology innovation,” Rep. Kinzinger said last week.

Rep. Kinzinger on April 22 sponsored the Energy Resource Governance Initiative Act of 2021, H.R. 2785, with original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA). The bill would require that the Resource Governance Initiative promote sound mining sector governance and resilient energy mineral supply chains by bringing countries together to engage on advancing governance principles, sharing best practices, and encouraging a level playing field for investment, according to the congressional record summary of the bill. 

Specifically, H.R. 2785 would formalize the initiative within the U.S. State Department to develop clean and secure supply chains of critical minerals. The current Resource Governance Initiative, which was founded by the U.S., Australia, Botswana, Canada, and Peru, was created to share good governance principles and best practices in the mining sector of developing countries, according to Rep. Kinzinger’s office.

“As we look for ways to better lower our carbon footprint and global emissions, one thing remains clear: we need to have a diverse source of clean energy,” said the congressman. “Unfortunately, many clean technologies source their critical minerals from the world’s number one polluter: the People’s Republic of China.”

Rep. Kinzinger added that by formalizing the State Department’s Energy Resource Governance Initiative, “we will reject the Chinese Communist Party’s polluting policies by diversifying the critical mineral supply chain for the rest of the world.”