US Dives Deep for Offshore Nickel, Cobalt, and Rare Earth Treasures
Published Date: 4/29/2025
Presidential Document
Summary
The U.S. is jumping into action to explore and develop valuable minerals found deep under the ocean near our shores. This move helps secure important materials like nickel and rare earth elements, which are crucial for our economy, energy, and national security. Expect faster permits, new tech investments, and stronger teamwork across agencies starting now, all aimed at making America a global leader in offshore mineral resources.
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Faster Licenses for Deep-Sea Mining
Within 60 days of April 24, 2025 (by June 23, 2025), the Secretary of Commerce (through NOAA) must expedite review and issuance of seabed mineral exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act. The expedited process must aim for efficiency, predictability, and competitiveness for American companies.
Quicker Offshore Lease and Permit Decisions
Within 60 days of April 24, 2025 (by June 23, 2025), the Secretary of the Interior must establish an expedited process for reviewing and approving permits and granting leases for prospecting, exploration, development, and production of seabed minerals on the United States Outer Continental Shelf under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. The expedited process must aim for efficiency, predictability, and competitiveness for American companies.
Push for Domestic Processing and Financing
The Secretaries of Defense and Energy must review and revise regulations to support domestic processing capabilities for seabed minerals and explore using grant and loan authorities, the Defense Production Act, and other procurement and financing authorities to support processing. This action is directed as part of reports and regulatory review following the order.
Study Use of Defense Stockpile and Offtake Deals
Within 60 days of April 24, 2025 (by June 23, 2025), the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy must report on the feasibility and potential benefits or drawbacks of using the National Defense Stockpile for physical or virtual storage of materials from seabed polymetallic nodules and of entering offtake agreements for those materials.
National Seabed Mapping Plan
Within 60 days of April 24, 2025 (by June 23, 2025), the Secretary of Commerce must, in cooperation with other agencies and non-governmental organizations, develop a plan to map priority seabed areas (prioritizing the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf) to accelerate data collection and characterization of undersea resources.
Report on Private-Sector Interest and Processing Capacity
Within 60 days of April 24, 2025 (by June 23, 2025), the Secretary of Commerce (with Interior and Energy) must report identifying private-sector interest and opportunities for seabed mineral exploration, mining, environmental monitoring, and for seabed mineral processing capacity in the United States or on U.S.-flagged vessels.
Finance Agencies to ID Support Tools
Within 60 days of April 24, 2025 (by June 23, 2025), the CEO of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, the President of the Export-Import Bank, the Director of the Trade and Development Agency, and other relevant agency heads must provide a joint report identifying tools to support domestic and international seabed mineral exploration, extraction, processing, and environmental monitoring.
Identify Seabed-Derived Critical Minerals
The Secretary of the Interior must identify which critical minerals may be derived from seabed resources and coordinate with the Secretaries of Defense and Energy to indicate which of those minerals are essential for defense, manufacturing, and energy applications.
International Engagement and Benefit-Sharing Study
Within 60 days of April 24, 2025 (by June 23, 2025), the Secretary of Commerce (with State, Interior, and Energy) must engage with partners and allies to offer support for seabed mineral activities in their jurisdictions and provide a joint report on the feasibility of an international benefit-sharing mechanism for seabed mineral extraction beyond national jurisdiction.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-22385, Adjusting Imports of Robotics, Industrial Machinery, and Their Parts and Components Into the United States
The U.S. government found that importing robotics and industrial machinery in large amounts could hurt national security. To protect our defense and economy, new rules will adjust how these items and their parts come into the country. These changes affect manufacturers and importers starting soon and aim to keep America’s tech and defense strong without breaking the bank.
2026-22292, Further Modifying the Scope of Products of Canada Subject to the Additional Duties Imposed To Offset Canadian Discrimination Against the Commerce of the United States With Respect to Motor Vehicles
The U.S. is adding more taxes on certain Canadian products because Canada is treating American car exports unfairly. These extra duties started on August 22, 2026, after Canada stopped trying to fix the problem. This move aims to protect U.S. businesses from unfair trade and keep things balanced.
2026-22051, Decreasing Housing Costs for the American People
This new order helps people who own homes by making it easier and cheaper to cancel mortgage insurance when they’ve built enough equity. Starting soon, mortgage companies will use smart tech to check home values automatically and cut costs for homeowners without extra hassle. This means more savings and less paperwork for many Americans trying to keep their homes affordable.
2026-22052, Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as Amended, on Domestic Petroleum Production, Refining, and Logistics Capacity
The President has declared that America’s oil production, refining, and delivery systems are super important for national defense and need a boost. Because of money troubles, delays, and supply issues, the government will step in to help speed things up and keep the country safe. This means new investments and support starting now to make sure our energy stays strong and reliable.
2026-22049, Adjusting Imports of Wind Turbines and Their Parts and Components Into the United States
The U.S. government is changing the rules on importing wind turbines and their parts because relying too much on foreign-made turbines could hurt national security. These changes aim to reduce risks like cyber threats and power disruptions by limiting certain imports. If you’re in the wind energy business, expect new import rules starting soon that could affect costs and supply chains.
2026-22050, National Seafood Month, 2026
National Seafood Month 2026 celebrates the hardworking American fishermen and seafood producers who provide billions of pounds of seafood, support over a million jobs, and generate $173 billion in commerce. The President highlights new actions like expanded fishing access and big quota boosts to help fishing communities grow and compete globally. These efforts aim to keep seafood industries thriving and ensure future generations can build their American Dream by the sea.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-07469, Strengthening Probationary Periods in the Federal Service
This new rule affects all new federal employees on probation or trial periods, making agencies actively decide if these workers should stay. Instead of automatic job security after probation, employees must be approved to continue, helping remove poor performers faster. These changes start soon and aim to save money by keeping the federal workforce strong and efficient.
Next: 2025-07570, World Intellectual Property Day, 2025
On World Intellectual Property Day 2025, the President celebrates American inventors and artists while pledging to protect their ideas and creations. The Administration is cutting red tape, boosting tech leadership in AI and other fields, and using tariffs to stop intellectual property theft. These moves aim to keep America’s innovation strong, protect jobs, and grow the economy now and into the future.