Clean Energy Minerals Reform Act of 2022

The Clean Energy Minerals Reform Act of 2022 proposes significant updates to the 150-year-old laws governing how minerals like gold, silver, and copper are mined on federal lands. The bill would transition the current system to a leasing process that requires mining companies to pay federal royalties on the minerals they extract, with the resulting revenue used to fund the cleanup of abandoned mine sites. Additionally, the legislation would mandate stricter environmental permits for mining operations and require federal agencies to consult with Native American tribes before authorizing mining activities that could impact tribal lands or resources.