As new technologies, including for power generation, transmission and distribution, energy storage, transportation, manufacturing, and buildings, are arising, so does the need for minerals and elements essential to their production. The energy transition will be a commodities transition too. Many State Energy Offices and state economic development, environmental, and natural resource agencies are considering how energy-related critical mineral and material production, processing, and recycling may offer economic opportunities, but are also working on addressing challenges of developing mines and processing facilities, along with siting, environmental, and social impact concerns. It is becoming increasingly important—and time sensitive—for states and their private-sector partners to elevate the importance of supply chain vulnerabilities and risks that may affect the availability and cost of materials needed for producing and using clean energy technologies on which states may rely to meet their environmental, economic, and other objectives.

Critical Minerals
NASEO Electricity and Transportation Committees Webinar: Building Batteries! Enhancing Supply Chains and Domestic Manufacturing for Critical Materials and Batteries 
September 2021
  • Electrification in the transportation sector and increasing demand for grid storage has created a large and rapidly growing market for batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are commonly used to power electric vehicles and leveraged by the grid to support resiliency and higher penetration of renewable generation. Still, a lack of manufacturing capacity and domestic supply chain for critical materials has slowed this market, creating a large opportunity for job growth in the energy sector. The Biden Administration started to address these concerns, ordering a Battery Supply Chain Review in February 2021. This webinar, co-hosted by NASEO’s Electricity and Transportation Committees, will feature experts on battery storage and the domestic battery supply chain, including state, industry, and federal representatives.
  • Moderator:
    • Star Hodge, State Energy Program Manager, NC Department of Environmental Quality
  • Speakers:
    • Melanie Kenderdine, Principal, Energy Futures Initiative
    • Helena Khazdozian, Technology Manager, Advanced Manufacturing Office, U.S. Department of Energy
    • Austin Devaney, Vice President, Piedmont Lithium
    • Harry Kumar, Director of Government Relations, Li-Cycle
  • Click here to view the recording. 
NASEO Transportation Committee Call: Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling 
December 2023
  • A representative from Argonne National Laboratory discussed the Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) approach to addressing critical minerals and driving EV adoption through research and development of lithium battery recycling, EV battery second-life programs, and technologies that reduce or eliminate the need for critical minerals. A representative from Redwood Materials, a company leading the circular supply chain of recycled batteries, shared how their company is working with municipalities, utilities, automakers, and other various stakeholders to refine and recycle lithium-ion batteries to re-manufacture battery materials for new applications.

  • Click here to view the recording.