FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2025
Energy Workforce: Critical Minerals and LNG Bills Are a Wake-Up Call for U.S. Competitiveness
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Energy Workforce & Technology Council issued statements of support for two key pieces of legislation that passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee: H.R. 3617, the Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply Act (Rep. John James (MI-10), and H.R. 1949, the Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2025 (Rep. August Pfluger(TX-11).
Both bills take meaningful steps to boost U.S. energy security, reduce foreign dependence, and ensure American producers can compete on a global scale.
H.R. 3617 – Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply Act accelerates the federal permitting process for critical mineral projects by enforcing firm timelines and limiting unnecessary reviews. The bill empowers lead agencies to drive permitting decisions and reduces regulatory delays that currently block domestic mineral development.
“Right now, we have to rely on foreign supply chains to fuel American energy production. Given the state of the geopolitical landscape, there is no doubt that this is a dangerous game,” said EWTC President Tim Tarpley. “The Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply Act is about taking control of our critical mineral supply chains. This is how we secure both our economy and our geopolitical leverage.”
H.R. 1949 – Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2025 repeals outdated restrictions on natural gas exports and gives the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) exclusive authority to approve LNG terminals. The bill streamlines permitting by deeming natural gas exports inherently in the public interest, cutting out redundant Department of Energy approvals.
“Removing outdated hurdles to LNG exports is long overdue,” said Tarpley. “The Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2025puts America back on top. It clears the path for U.S. energy dominance, strengthens our alliances, and creates thousands of well-paying jobs here at home. This is what putting America first looks like.”
Energy Workforce urges lawmakers to move swiftly in passing both bills and commends the Committee for advancing pro-growth, pro-security energy policy.
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About Energy Workforce & Technology Council:
Energy Workforce & Technology Council is the national trade association for the global energy technology and services sector, representing more than 650,000 U.S. jobs in the technology-driven energy value chain. Energy Workforce works to advance member policy priorities and empower the energy workforce of the future.
Karina Erickson, Communications Director, writes about governmental policies for the Energy Workforce & Technology Council. Click here to subscribe to the Energy Workforce newsletter, which highlights sector-specific issues, best practices, activities and more.
