Climate Change Solutions

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Critical minerals are key components of products vital to national security and have a high risk of supply chain disruption. This week, we’ve got brand new fact sheets on two minerals that are most, er, critical to the clean energy transition: lithium and cobalt. Scroll on for details!

EESI’s 29th annual Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO and Policy Forum is next week! On Wednesday, June 24, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., we’ll convene clean energy leaders, experts, and Democratic and Republican members of Congress in the Gold Room (2168 Rayburn House Office Building), the Rayburn Foyer, and online, with a reception to follow from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. This event is free and open to all—RSVP here.

The Latest Solutions

Fact Sheet | Lithium

[3 min. read] Lithium is a U.S. Geological Survey-designated critical mineral with a high importance for the clean energy transition and a medium-high risk of supply chain disruptions. Its reactivity, size, and light weight make it an essential battery component in electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Although the mineral is abundant in pockets across the country, the United States relies on imports for more than 50% of the lithium it consumes. Read more about this critical mineral and its supply chains at the link above. [click for more]

Fact Sheet | Cobalt

[3 min. read] Cobalt’s durability, high melting point, and magnetic properties make it a key component in the lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and energy storage systems. But domestic production is limited, and the United States relies on imports for 76% of the cobalt it consumes. In the near-term, the Department of Energy lists it as having a medium-high importance for the energy transition. Click the link above to learn more about cobalt’s energy applications and supply chains. [click for more]

From the Archives | Critical Minerals Issue Brief
[14 min. read]

Our 2025 issue brief outlines the clean energy applications of critical minerals, their supply chains, the state of U.S. critical mineral development, alternatives to mineral mining, and the federal government’s role in U.S. critical mineral security. [click for more]

On the Hill

Wildfires Know No Bounds: Both the House and Senate passed similar versions of the Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act (H.R.3922/S.2033). Reps. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), Young Kim (R-Calif.), Josh Harder (D-Calif.), and Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.) and Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) reintroduced the bill to ramp up coordination between federal, state, local, tribal, and private entities on wildfire risk reduction.

House Narrowly Advances Ag Appropriations: The House passed 213-210 the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act of 2027 (H.R.8646). The bill would provide $22.5 billion to the U.S. Department of Agriculture through September 2027 to fund agricultural research, rural development programs, nutrition programs, and other initiatives. To learn about the benefits of some of these programs, check out EESI’s farm bill resources.

Full Steam Ahead: The House passed two bipartisan bills to streamline permitting processes for geothermal energy. The Committing Leases for Energy Access Now (CLEAN) Act (H.R.1687), reintroduced by Reps. Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho), Celeste Maloy (R-Utah), and Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), would increase lease sales for geothermal projects. The Geothermal Energy Advancement Act (H.R.5631), led by Reps. Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.) and Susie Lee (D-Nev.), would expedite review processes for these projects while establishing standards for environmental responsibility.

Never Break the (Supply) Chain: The House passed the Developing Overseas Mineral Investments and New Allied Networks for Critical Energies (DOMINANCE) Act (H.R.7037). Reps. Young Kim (R-Calif.) and Ami Bera (D-Calif.) introduced the bill to secure international partnerships that will in turn strengthen U.S. critical mineral supply chains. To learn more about critical mineral supply chains, as well as their role in clean energy, check out EESI’s issue brief and our latest fact sheets on lithium and cobalt.

We track all environmental, energy, and climate legislation and hearings happening on Capitol Hill. See the full legislative trackers for June 1-5 and June 8-12.

Upcoming Events

2026 Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO, Policy Forum, and Reception
Wednesday, June 24
10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Rayburn House Office Building Foyer and Gold Room (Room 2168) and online

Join EESI for our 29th annual Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO and Policy Forum (EXPO 2026), held in partnership with the House and Senate Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucuses. From 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., top-level speakers will showcase technologies and solutions that save households money, improve the economy, build resilience, protect our security interests, and reduce carbon emissions. There will be a reception to follow from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Rayburn Foyer. The entire event is free to attend and open to the public. RSVP here, and stay tuned for panel updates.

Impacts of Severe Drought
Friday, July 24
12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Online only

Record-low rain and snow in the West this past winter have sparked fears of water shortages that could have ripple effects for economic activity, hydropower generation, and agriculture across the country. EESI’s next Rapid Readout will connect the dots between this year’s water shortage and the broader multi-year megadrought in the West, and discuss the role of federal policymaking in safeguarding communities from impacts and generating long-term solutions. RSVP here.

In Case You Missed It

Highlight Notes Now Available | Tracking
Down Data: Where to Find Climate and
Environmental Information in 2026

This briefing, held in partnership with Climate Central during D.C. Climate Week, discussed a key underpinning of the U.S. economy: publicly-available weather and climate data. Hundreds of federal scientific datasets and reports, like the National Climate Assessments, have been removed from public access, altered, or buried by the current administration. Panelists shared where to find these datasets, the implications of these changes for end users, and how universities and nonprofits are stepping up to maintain public access to critical information.

Highlight Notes Now Available | Policies
and Financing Solutions to Modernize
U.S. Water Infrastructure

EESI partnered with American Rivers for a briefing about our nation’s most pressing water infrastructure challenges, and solutions to close the gap between investment needs and reliable water services. Panelists presented innovative policy, technology, and financing strategies—from smart monitoring systems to credit trading—to improve water infrastructure across the country.

Latest Media Coverage

EESI’s article on data center water consumption was cited by several outlets, including USA Today (with stories from Texas and across the country) Newsweek, NewsNation, Spectrum News (with stories from Ohio and North Carolina), Food & Wine, and Denver7.
Moneywise cited EESI’s fact sheet on fossil fuel externalities in an article about Arctic drilling.

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About EESI

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing science-based solutions for climate change, energy, and environmental challenges to achieve a sustainable, resilient, and equitable world. Founded on a bipartisan basis by members of Congress, EESI has been informing policymakers about the benefits of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and environmental conservation since 1984.

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