Today, Ranking Republican Rob Bishop (R-Utah) released the following statement on the International Energy Agency (IEA) analysis detailing how the COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed critical mineral supply chain vulnerabilities.  The analysis, titled "Clean Energy Progress After the Covid-19 Crisis Will Need Reliable Supplies of Critical Minerals," highlights challenges around supply of selected minerals and recommends ensuring timely investment in new domestic mining operations, conducting periodic assessments of demand, and prioritizing environmentally responsible development of these minerals.

“The global pandemic has demonstrated significant supply chain weaknesses across all sectors of our economy, including energy security and innovation. The analysis released today underscores the importance of prioritizing domestic critical mineral development to ensure our national and economic security. Continued outsourcing of critical minerals’ production leaves American manufacturing, technology, clean energy, medicine, and other sectors crucial to modern life vulnerable to the actions of our adversaries. This is yet another reminder of the need for Congress to work on a bipartisan basis and enact policies to mitigate this threat and protect our citizens.”

Read the full IEA analysis HERE.