Mining Schools Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Owens
Introduced
Summary
Creates a new DOE grant program to strengthen domestic mining education and train the next generation of mining professionals. It pairs competitive grants for mining schools with a six-member advisory board and requires funding to come from annual appropriations.
Show full summary
- Mining schools: Would be eligible for competitive grants to recruit students and enhance mining programs. The Secretary could award up to 10 grants per year and must seek geographic diversity.
- Students and the workforce: Grants would support training in critical minerals, recycling, reclamation, mining efficiency, and environmental impact reduction to expand the pool of qualified professionals.
- Tribal Colleges and qualifying 4-year public schools: Tribal Colleges and Universities are explicitly eligible. Other 4-year public institutions in states with 2021 mining GDP of at least $2 billion may also qualify.
- Program governance and transparency: Establishes a six-member Mining Professional Development Advisory Board to evaluate applications and recommend awards. The Secretary must respond in writing to the Board’s recommendations and publish that response within 15 days after awarding a grant.
*Does not authorize new mandatory spending and would rely on funds only if provided through annual appropriations.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Energy Department grants for mining schools
If enacted, the Energy Department would run a competitive grant program to strengthen mining education. It could award up to 10 grants each year, by the later of 180 days after the fiscal year starts or 180 days after Congress passes full-year DOE funding. Schools could use the money to recruit students and improve programs in mining, critical minerals, recycling, and mine cleanup. Eligible “mining schools” would include ABET-accredited mining or mineral engineering programs (including Tribal Colleges), and certain geology or engineering programs at 4‑year public colleges in states with at least $2,000,000,000 in 2021 mining‑related GDP. The Secretary would aim for geographic diversity and region‑specific specialties. A six‑member board (three from industry, three from academia) would review applications and recommend awards; the Secretary would post decisions on accepting or rejecting those recommendations within 15 days of each award. No new money is guaranteed; grants would depend on available appropriations.
Repeals 1984 mining research law
If enacted, this bill would repeal the Mining and Mineral Resources Research Institute Act of 1984. This would remove that law’s authority and could end support tied to it for programs or institutions that used it.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Owens
UT • R
Cosponsors
Costa
CA • D
Sponsored 3/27/2025
Maloy
UT • R
Sponsored 3/27/2025
Pettersen
CO • D
Sponsored 3/27/2025
Moore (UT)
UT • R
Sponsored 3/27/2025
Ciscomani
AZ • R
Sponsored 9/10/2025
Crank
CO • R
Sponsored 9/10/2025
McDowell
NC • R
Sponsored 11/4/2025
Bost
IL • R
Sponsored 11/4/2025
Newhouse
WA • R
Sponsored 2/4/2026
Kiggans (VA)
VA • R
Sponsored 2/4/2026
Amodei (NV)
NV • R
Sponsored 2/9/2026
Hurd (CO)
CO • R
Sponsored 2/9/2026
Collins
GA • R
Sponsored 2/9/2026
Boebert
CO • R
Sponsored 2/24/2026
Wittman
VA • R
Sponsored 2/24/2026
Simpson
ID • R
Sponsored 3/17/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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