U.S. Department of Energy Forum Highlights Need for Domestic Critical Mineral Supply Chain
At the 2026 Partner Forum hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Laboratory of the Rockies, industry leaders, academics, and government officials gathered to discuss the challenges and opportunities in building a domestic supply chain for critical minerals. Greg Bowman, chief global policy officer for USA Rare Earth Inc., emphasized the importance of these minerals, which are essential for modern electronics and defense technologies. Currently, over 80% of the U.S.'s critical minerals are imported, creating supply vulnerabilities. The forum focused on strategies to develop a reliable domestic supply chain, including mining, refining, and recycling efforts, as well as the need for collaboration across sectors. 
