Critical Materials Processing Technology Testbed Act
Sponsored By: Representative Foster, Bill [D-IL-11]
Introduced
Summary
DOE Critical Materials Processing Technology Testbed would support research, demonstration, and scalable testing of new processing methods for critical minerals. The bill would fund competitive Testbed sites, require U.S.-retained intellectual property, and coordinate with EPA on environmental justice.
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- Researchers, national laboratories, universities, and private collaborations could compete to host or use Testbed facilities. Support lasts up to five years with merit-reviewed renewal for another five years.
- U.S. industry would get clearer paths to scale and commercialize new processing methods because the Secretary must facilitate technology transfer and keep intellectual property in the United States. The bill authorizes $150 million to establish the Testbed and $25 million per year for 2028–2031.
- Projects must target cutting energy use, pollutants, water consumption, waste and lifecycle costs, improving recovery efficiencies, and worker safety while avoiding unnecessary duplication across agencies.
*Would authorize $150 million for fiscal year 2027 and $25 million per year for fiscal years 2028–2031, increasing federal spending if appropriated.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Funding for critical materials testbed
If enacted, the bill would authorize $150 million for fiscal year 2027 to establish the Testbed. It would also authorize $25 million for each year 2028 through 2031 to carry out Testbed activities, all subject to Congress approving the money. For funds in 2028–2031, the Secretary could require entities other than National Laboratories to share project costs.
Testbed rules for researchers and industry
If enacted, the bill would create a Critical Materials Processing Technology Testbed run by the Department of Energy. National Laboratories, colleges, companies, and collaborations could apply to run one or more Testbed sites. The Secretary would consult the EPA, avoid duplicating other Federal work, and work with the Office of Technology Commercialization to move results to U.S. industry. Testbed work would focus on cutting energy, pollution, and water use, improving recovery, protecting worker safety, and similar goals. The Secretary would limit each support period to five years and could renew for one more five-year period through merit review. The Secretary would require that intellectual property and commercialization value from Testbed work stay in the United States.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Foster, Bill [D-IL-11]
IL • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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