Sec. 3307. Recycling, efficiency, and alternatives
322 words·~1 min read·
/bill/114/s/2012/pcs/section-3307A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Secretary of Energy (referred to in this section as the Secretary ) shall conduct a program of research and development— to promote the efficient production, use, and recycling of critical minerals throughout the supply chain; and to develop alternatives to critical minerals that do not occur in significant abundance in the United States. In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall cooperate with appropriate— Federal agencies and National Laboratories; critical mineral producers; critical mineral processors; critical mineral manufacturers; trade associations; academic institutions; small businesses; and other relevant entities or individuals.
Under the program, the Secretary shall carry out activities that include the identification and development of— advanced critical mineral extraction, production, separation, alloying, or processing technologies that decrease the energy consumption, environmental impact, and costs of those activities, including— efficient water and wastewater management strategies; technologies and management strategies to control the environmental impacts of radionuclides in ore tailings; and technologies for separation and processing; technologies or process improvements that minimize the use, or lead to more efficient use, of critical minerals across the full supply chain; technologies, process improvements, or design optimizations that facilitate the recycling of critical minerals, and options for improving the rates of collection of products and scrap containing critical minerals from post-consumer, industrial, or other waste streams; commercial markets, advanced storage methods, energy applications, and other beneficial uses of critical minerals processing byproducts; alternative minerals, metals, and materials, particularly those available in abundance within the United States and not subject to potential supply restrictions, that lessen the need for critical minerals; and alternative energy technologies or alternative designs of existing energy technologies, particularly those that use minerals that— occur in abundance in the United States; and are not subject to potential supply restrictions.
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report summarizing the activities, findings, and progress of the program.