Senators Coons, Ricketts introduce bill to strengthen energy security and critical mineral supply chains

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) today introduced the Energy Security Pacts Act, bipartisan legislation to strengthen American energy security and supply chains by coordinating U.S. foreign investment and diplomacy tools to support energy, electricity, and mineral infrastructure in partner countries. The bill is a partial companion to the Developing Overseas Mineral Investments and New Allied Networks for Critical Energies Act, or DOMINANCE Act, introduced in the House by U.S. Representatives Young Kim (R-Calif.) and Ami Bera (D-Calif.). The Energy Security Pacts Act would strengthen U.S. engagement with low- and middle-income partner countries to develop their energy and electricity sectors, stimulate economic growth, leverage private sector investment, and diversify critical energy and mineral supply chains. These agreements would also provide high-standard alternatives to Chinese offerings while opening new markets for U.S. energy technologies, services, and exports. The bill would establish an Office of Energy Security Pacts within the State Department to coordinate relevant U.S. government agencies in developing 10-year, bilateral Energy Security Pacts with partner countries. By bringing these capabilities together, the legislation would ensure that U.S. investments are able to deliver real improvements to the energy and national security of the United States and its partners. “Countries around the world need reliable energy and electricity to grow their economies, and the United States should be the partner they turn to, not China,” said Senator Coons . “The Energy Security Pacts Act would help us coordinate American investment, technical expertise, and diplomacy to support energy and mineral infrastructure in partner countries. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill with Senator Ricketts to strengthen our supply chains, create new opportunities for U.S. companies, and make America and our allies more secure.” “Energy security is national security and critical mineral supply chains are the backbone of economic strength,” said Senator Ricketts .  “Foreign adversaries like Communist China have already begun to weaponize these vulnerabilities against us.  America must diversify critical mineral supplies, increase reliable energy access, and improve related critical infrastructure.  The Energy Security Pacts Act will shore up American security while protecting our allies and partners.  It’s time to stop playing defense and unleash American energy dominance.” “China’s chokehold on critical mineral and energy supply chains puts the U.S. economy and our allies at risk,” said Representative Young Kim, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific . “The DOMINANCE Act aligns our diplomacy, financing, and partnerships to build secure, resilient alternatives. I’m grateful Senators Ricketts and Coons are advancing a core provision of our bill – Energy Security Pacts – in the Senate, helping ensure the United States, not China, leads in building trusted supply chains with our allies.” “We cannot allow China to dictate the terms of the world’s energy future,” said Representative Ami Bera, M.D . “That means countries should be able to turn to the United States, not China, to build reliable energy systems and secure critical mineral supply chains. I’m glad Senators Coons and Ricketts are advancing a key piece of our DOMINANCE Act legislation to align our diplomatic, development, and financing tools, expand opportunities for American companies, and make our country and our partners more secure.” Energy Security Pacts would coordinate U.S. engagement to: Mobilize financing for strategic energy and mineral infrastructure in partner countries Diversify U.S. supply chains across fuels and technologies Provide technical assistance and coordinate investment from relevant U.S. agencies, including the Departments of State, Commerce, Defense, Energy, Interior, and Treasury, as well as DFC, EXIM, MCC, USTDA, and USTR The legislation is endorsed by the American Council for Capital Formation, the American Critical Minerals Association, the American Energy Leadership Institute, the Atlantic Council, Bipartisan Policy Center Action, ClearPath Action, Energy for Growth Hub, and SAFE Center for Critical Minerals Strategy. Read their quotes of endorsement here . Read the one-pager here . Read the full bill text here .