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Seeking to reduce U.S. reliance on imports of critical minerals and elements, particularly from China, the Department of Energy on Tuesday issued new guidance outlining a preference for these materials in federal loan programs the department manages. The new guidance was directed as part of a presidential executive order in September that tasked federal agencies to work together to reduce dependence on foreign supplies on key critical minerals and find ways to address this threat (Defense Daily, Oct. 1). “Reliable…
