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.
