03/30/2023

IME Applauds House Passage of the Lower Energy Costs Act

WASHINGTON – The Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME) President Clark Mica today issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act:

 “IME would like to thank House leaders for passing H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, which will help our nation increase domestic energy security, reform the broken permitting process and boost domestic production of critical minerals. The commercial explosives industry plays an integral part in our nation’s infrastructure by making it possible to safely and efficiently produce energy and to extract the critical minerals and other materials that make today’s modern way of life possible.

“As the Biden Administration continues implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, there is bipartisan agreement that one of the biggest challenges is the long delays and associated uncertainty in the permitting process.

“Every day we delay the streamlining of federal permits, we’re delaying America’s ability to mine critical minerals necessary to manufacture technologies like electric vehicles and semi-conductors, and develop and utilize America’s vast energy resources to ensure Americans at all income levels have access to an affordable and abundant domestic energy supply. These delays not only put America at a competitive disadvantage, they make us reliant on materials coming from countries that do not share the same stringent rules and regulations we have here in the United States.

“I urge members of the Senate to act on this important legislation to enhance our nation’s global competitiveness,  create good paying jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign sources.”