Metals or minerals listed on the DOE's Critical Materials List will receive tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act.
The final list includes electrical steel, copper, aluminum, magnesium, nickel, cobalt, lithium, praseodymium, neodymium, dysprosium, terbium, gallium, platinum, iridium, fluorine, natural graphite, silicon and silicon carbide.
Alejandro Moreno, executive director of DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, said: "As our country continues to transition to a clean energy economy, our responsibility is to secure the supply chain of critical materials and support the development of technologies for clean energy production, transmission, storage, and end-use. Including solar panels, turbines, wind turbines, power electronics, lighting and electric vehicles."
Moreno said identifying and reducing the risk properties of materials could secure clean energy "for decades to come."
Andrew G. Kireta,Jr., president of the Copper Development Association, said, "The CDA congratulates the Department of Energy on finally adding copper to the Critical Materials Catalog after an in-depth and forward-looking analysis."
"Copper is important to the U.S. economy and national security, and demand is expected to double by 2035, driven by the green energy transition, electrification and clean water infrastructure. Copper is extremely important in power generation, transmission and distribution, and the lack of electricity puts the country at great risk."
The CDA noted that the inclusion of copper in the key materials list shows that more domestic production is needed to meet demand growth.
