Rare Earths: Freshman Rep. Swalwell jumps into the fray with new bill

Freshman California Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell is jumping into the debate over the availability of minerals and materials necessary for clean energy innovations. Swalwell introduced legislation,

H.R. 1022, calling on the federal Office of Science and Technology Policy to coordinate government actions meant to ensure the supply, including through recycling, of rare earth elements and other "energy critical" materials.

The legislation would also establish a Department of Energy loan guarantee program to help companies with research for developing new technologies. And the measure calls for collaboration with university students. "By leveraging our vast federal resources, the talent at our universities and the innovation of the private sector," said Swalwell, "we can ensure a sustainable supply of critical earth elements and continue to lead the world in technologies that support job creation in America and our national and energy security."

The dependence on other countries for various minerals has not only sparked concern about availability but also about the United States' lagging behind in downstream technologies and knowledge base.

Swalwell, a former prosecutor and city council member, represents California's newly created 15th District, which includes parts of Silicon Valley. It's also home to the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and a branch of the Sandia National Laboratories.

Because of California's unique primary system, Swalwell defeated a member of his own party in the general election, longtime California Rep. Pete Stark.

Swalwell now sits on the Science, Space and Technology Committee and is top Democrat of its Energy Subcommittee. The critical materials bill is his second bill introduced so far.

Earlier this week, Reps. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) introduced legislation calling for the U.S. Geological Survey to boost its global study of rare earth elements.

The bills are among numerous House and Senate efforts on the issue. But despite the prominence of the issue, particularly since the 111th Congress, no broad stand-alone measure has made it into law.

Earlier this year, the Department of Energy launched a research hub to focus on rare earths and other critical materials at the Ames Laboratory.