Grassley, Iowa Delegation Urge Department of Energy to Locate Research Facility in Ames

WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) led his colleagues in the Iowa Congressional delegation to urge U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jennifer Granholm to co-locate the Critical Materials Supply Chain research facility in the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA) with the existing Critical Materials Institute located at the DOE Ames Laboratory.

 

Grassley, along with Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Reps. Cindy Axne (D-Iowa), Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), highlighted the importance of the Critical Materials Institute in Iowa.

 

“We write to ask for your support in co-locating the Critical Materials Supply Chain research facility with the existing Critical Materials Institute located at the Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory. The IIJA includes $75 million for a Critical Materials Supply Chain research facility. As you know, the Ames Laboratory currently leads the Critical Materials Institute, one of only five DOE Innovation Hubs. The Critical Materials Institute works on challenges that are crucial to the state of Iowa and our nation’s energy security, economic security and national security,” the lawmakers wrote.

 

Ames Laboratory leads the nation in critical minerals by diversifying supply, developing substitutes and driving reuse and recovery of rare earth materials and critical minerals. Ensuring that the Critical Materials Supply Chain Research Facility and Critical Materials Institute are in close coordination will strengthen the DOE mission of ensuring America’s security and prosperity by addressing energy challenges through transformative science and technology solutions.