Dive Brief:
In an effort to increase U.S. energy independence, President Joe Biden on Thursday invoked the Defense Production Act to spur domestic mining and processing of minerals used to make batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage facilities.
The move will support the production and processing of lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite and manganese, the White House said in a statement. The Department of Defense will follow “strong” environmental, labor, community and tribal consultation standards as it implements Biden’s directive to conduct feasibility studies.
Advanced Energy Economy, a clean energy trade group, supported the action. “Energy storage, both stationary and in electric vehicles, is essential to swiftly reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, building a clean, affordable economy, and securing America,”…