US Interior Department to fast-track mining and energy projects

The US Department of the Interior will expedite environmental approvals for a range of energy and mining projects on public lands, citing President Donald Trump’s declaration of a national energy emergency as the legal basis for the move.

Under the new directive, environmental reviews that normally take up to a year will now be done in just 14 days. More detailed reviews, which usually take two years, will be completed in 28 days.

“The United States cannot afford to wait,” said Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. “We are taking decisive action to remove bottlenecks and ensure that America’s energy future is secure.”

The accelerated process will apply to projects involving crude oil, natural gas, coal, uranium, biofuels, lease condensates, geothermal energy, kinetic hydropower, and refined petroleum products. It also includes initiatives focused on critical minerals.

To enable the streamlined timelines, the Department will implement an alternative compliance process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), allowing for more concise documentation and faster review. Additionally, the Endangered Species Act’s Section 7 consultation process will be expedited through emergency consultation procedures coordinated with the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Sovereign wealth fund for US miners

The Trump administration is also considering a sovereign wealth fund to invest in domestic mining and processing of critical minerals.

Speaking at a conference organized by the Hamm Institute for American Energy this week, Burgum said the administration is evaluating a range of financial tools to boost domestic production of rare earths and other strategic resources.

“We are exploring all options to ensure a reliable, American-controlled supply of critical minerals,” he said. “Reducing reliance on foreign imports is a matter of national security.”

The proposed policy changes mark a significant shift in how the federal government manages its natural resources, and could have far-reaching impacts on the US mining and energy sectors.