Agencies are to identify risks to supply chains.
President Biden is signing an executive order on Wednesday that directs federal agencies to determine vulnerabilities in U.S. supply chains, including for batteries that power electric vehicles and critical minerals that are key components in everything from defense technologies to renewable energy.
The order directs those agencies to identify risks to supply chains, as well as the supply chains for pharmaceuticals and semiconductors, within 100 days. The agencies would then conduct a more in-depth review over the next year to strengthen the supply chains for various industries, including energy and transportation.
The White House press secretary released a statement that said, “While we cannot predict what crisis will hit us, we should have the capacity to respond quickly in the face of challenges. … While the U.S. is a net exporter of electric vehicles, we are not a leader in the supply chain associated with electric battery production. The U.S. could better leverage our sizeable lithium reserve and manufacturing know-how to expand domestic battery production.”
Many in Congress and industry have raised concerns that the United States is too dependent on foreign nations, particularly China, for critical minerals and materials. Though some environmentalists oppose mining expansion in the U.S., the mining industry has urged the president’s administration to allow expanded production of critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, graphite, and rare earth elements as a necessary step to meet ambitious climate goals.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For U.S. agencies evaluating the risks to the U.S. supply chain.
- For wisdom for the president’s administration surrounding the expansion of mining of certain elements within the U.S.
- For God to lead U.S. officials to take appropriate environmental precautions to steward the land.
Sources: The White House, Washington Examiner
