U.S. Representative Morgan Griffith

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation has awarded a $1,000,000 grant to Virginia Tech. The funding will support Virginia Tech in leading efforts to grow a skilled workforce required to produce, process, recover and recycle critical minerals on American soil. Virginia Tech is one of 16 schools nationwide to receive this funding. In response to this grant, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement: “Critical mineral extraction is key to American energy dominance and reducing our dependence on foreign adversaries. “This $1 million grant helps Virginia Tech chart a path forward for American dominance in mining.” BACKGROUND This funding is supported by the DOE Providing Opportunities for Specialized Education in Critical Technologies (PROSPECT) initiative. Congressman Griffith recently celebrated the launch of this program and what it means for Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech is home to a Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering. Supported by expert faculty, the Department trains its graduates to help lead the world in the extraction and production of critical minerals and energy resources to fuel future technological innovations. ###