Articles

Highlights Importance of  Energy & Mineral Production to Economic Prosperity

Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05) delivered the keynote address at the annual convention of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration in Denver this week. The Denver-based group hosted thousands of mining executives and engineers at its annual meeting. 

Lamborn told the group that a true all-of-the above energy plan -- one that includes coal, uranium, and other mined resources -- is essential to the economic growth and security of the United States. He also pledged to continue fighting to open up more of America's energy and minerals to responsible exploration and development.

Highlights from Congressman Lamborn's speech:

Energy & Minerals Mining

Our nation runs on energy.

It is essential for the economic growth and national security of the United States that we have an adequate, sustainable, environmentally acceptable, and economically viable balanced supply of energy sources – an all-of-the above plan that includes coal, uranium, and other mined resources.

Energy is the key to national economic growth and prosperity. America was built on low-cost and abundant energy, as well as on plentiful mineral wealth. To me, policies that threaten our access to our national resources threaten our greatness as a nation.

Mining labor makes up less than one quarter of one percent of the available U.S. workforce, yet this small workforce is the starting point for a value chain that consistently contributes 13 to 14 percent of the U.S. economy.

Coal

As an energy source, coal is vital.

Almost half of the world’s energy demand over the past ten years was provided by coal. All other fuels combined, including oil, natural gas, renewable and nuclear energy, accounted for the other half. In fact, every year over the last decade coal has been the world’s fastest growing energy source, driven by Asian demand.

Permitting Delays

The complexity, uncertainty, and delays within the current permitting system place the U.S. at a competitive disadvantage compared to many other countries that have a more welcoming business and regulatory climate.

Even the Obama Administration acknowledges this! In 2010, the Department of Energy concluded that the 7-10 year period to obtain permits in the United States is one of the principal barriers to new mining ventures in the U.S.  Is it any wonder that new mines are opening in countries like Canada and Australia that have a 2 or 3 year permitting process?

Policy Solutions

In the last session of Congress, I introduced the National Strategic and Critical Minerals Policy Act to promote domestic production of minerals vital to our economy.  The bill passed out of the Natural Resources Committee.

I intend to reintroduce this bill again this year.

Much works needs to be done to reverse the restrictive policies of the current administration.

The bottom line remains – America has abundant energy and mineral resources – but instead of responsibly developing our own resources, we have allowed ourselves to become dependent on foreign countries.

I pledge to continue my fight in Congress to open up more of America’s energy and minerals to responsible exploration and development.

To view the speech in its entirety, please click HERE.

# # #