The U.S. Department of Energy has announced $10.2 million in funding for four projects that aim to advance the production and refinement of critical minerals domestically. This funding, provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, supports the development of new and alternative supplies of critical minerals and materials in the United States, reducing dependence on offshore sources. The projects will help meet the demand for critical minerals essential for clean energy technologies, supporting President Biden's climate goals. Selected projects focus on alternative materials, including the development of high-purity synthetic graphite, energy-efficient hydrogen production from copper waste, boron nitride research for semiconductor devices, and scaling up lithium iron phosphate-based battery technology for electric vehicles. By investing in these projects, the DOE aims to strengthen domestic supply chains and reduce reliance on foreign sources. To ensure community engagement and benefits, project teams are required to submit Community Benefits Plans, aligning with the Justice40 Initiative goal of directing benefits to disadvantaged communities. This initiative emphasizes job creation, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and benefits for marginalized communities. In addition to the current funding, the DOE's Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management has committed $161 million since January 2021 for projects supporting critical minerals exploration and production. The office focuses on minimizing environmental impacts while advancing technology areas like carbon capture, hydrogen production, and methane emissions reduction. These efforts aim to achieve net-zero emissions across the U.S. economy.