Our transition to clean energy is critical to fighting climate change and will be powered by minerals.
The problem? Our mining laws remain stuck in the 19th century.
Domestic mining operations are governed by the Hardrock Mining Law of 1872, a Civil War-era statute enacted to settle the West. One hundred and fifty-one years later, the law remains unchanged and provides no protections for the environment, Indigenous sacred sites, or communities. It also gives the mining industry a sweetheart deal at the expense of Indigenous rights, conservation, clean energy, recreation and tourism, drinking water supplies, and other important land uses.
Instead of pursuing mining reform, Congress is now doubling down on a broken status quo. Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.) has introduced the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act, an unprecedented giveaway of America’s cherished public lands to mining corporations and reversing over one hundred years of public lands precedent. It would tip the scales away from communities, the environment, and our clean energy future by giving the mining industry the power to dictate how we use our public lands. It could be easily weaponized to allow mining companies and private individuals to block solar, wind, or transmission projects based on opaque mineral claims. We need your help to block this.
Tell your Representative to oppose the corporate giveaways in the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act when it comes to the House floor for a vote.
Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Representative’s office.
You can look up your Representatives here.