The Department of Energy is committing $500 million to seven projects aimed at expanding critical mineral and material processing, battery manufacturing and recycling capacity across the United States, as the Trump administration moves to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains and strengthen national security.
The funding, announced by DOE’s Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI), supports projects designed to expand domestic production and processing of materials considered essential to the U.S. economy, energy security and defense.
The initiative follows President Trump’s Executive Order, Unleashing American Energy, and advances the administration’s push to bring critical materials production and processing back to the United States.
"For too long, America has depended on foreign actors for critical materials essential to modern life that underpin our economy, energy security, and national security," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. "President Trump is reversing that dependence by securing our critical supply chains, unleashing American industry, and bringing critical materials production and processing back to the United States."
DOE Assistant Secretary of Energy Audrey Robertson said the projects represent a broader effort to strengthen the nation’s industrial base and secure supplies needed for future energy technologies.
"DOE is taking decisive action to secure the critical supply chains necessary to power our nation," said Assistant Secretary of Energy Audrey Robertson. "These projects underscore DOE’s commitment to driving innovation, reducing reliance on foreign sources, and promoting American energy dominance."
The latest awards mark the third round of funding under DOE’s Battery Materials Processing and Battery Manufacturing and Recycling programs. The programs support battery materials processing, recycling and manufacturing through demonstration projects, construction of commercial-scale facilities, and the retrofitting or retooling of existing plants.
Critical minerals and materials are central to U.S. industry, energy production and national security. DOE says expanding domestic processing, manufacturing and recycling capacity will help ensure that resources essential to the American economy are handled within the United States rather than relying heavily on foreign sources.
The $500 million investment is the latest federal effort to build a more resilient domestic critical-minerals supply chain and strengthen U.S. control over materials increasingly vital to batteries, energy infrastructure and advanced manufacturing.
