The US Department of Energy (DOE) has allocated $10 million to support initiatives led by the California Institute of Technology and the University of Utah to strengthen the nation's critical mineral supply chains for green technologies. These projects aim to enhance the sustainability and reduce costs associated with producing critical minerals, including rare earth elements, from coal, coal wastes, and by-products. By utilizing the abundance of domestic coal reserves and unconventional resources, the US seeks to establish independent critical mineral supply chains, ultimately reducing import reliance. This move aligns with President Biden's strategy to reduce foreign supply chain dependence and create high-quality jobs across the country. The projects will focus on advancing technologies for refining rare earth elements and critical minerals from coal-related resources to meet the demands of clean energy technologies, national defense, and commercial products. Managed by the DOE's National Energy Technology Laboratory, these initiatives aim to boost economic growth, clean energy deployment, and enhance national security.