Conservative Energy & Climate Solutions announced on X that the largest lithium project in the United States is at risk. This comes after a Department of Energy (DOE) official questioned its ability to compete with China, despite its potential role in reducing reliance on Chinese batteries.
According to the Washington Free Beacon, the DOE’s loan office director questioned whether the Thacker Pass lithium project in Nevada could realistically compete with Chinese producers. The Thacker Pass site is the largest lithium mining project in the U.S. and is seen as a cornerstone for building a domestic supply chain for electric vehicle batteries. Concerns raised by federal officials have cast doubt on its viability, potentially slowing efforts to reduce dependence on Chinese imports.
China currently dominates global lithium processing and battery manufacturing, controlling about 60% of refining capacity and nearly 80% of lithium-ion battery production. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), this concentration allows China to exert significant influence over prices and supply chains critical for the clean energy transition. The IEA warns that without domestic projects, countries like the United States will remain vulnerable to supply disruptions and reliant on Chinese companies such as CATL, the world’s largest battery manufacturer.
Permitting delays are a significant barrier to U.S. mining expansion. The Wall Street Journal reports that it takes seven to ten years on average for new mines to secure approval, far longer than in countries like Canada and Australia, which typically approve projects in two to three years. The Journal highlights that unless the permitting process is reformed, America will struggle to secure critical minerals like lithium in time to meet its renewable energy and electric vehicle targets.
Conservative Energy & Climate Solutions is a center-right advocacy organization focused on promoting energy independence and pragmatic climate policy. According to its official website, the group champions market-based solutions, domestic energy production, and reduced reliance on foreign adversaries to strengthen U.S. competitiveness. Its advocacy for projects like Thacker Pass aligns with its mission to balance economic growth, national security, and clean energy innovation in ways that maintain America’s global leadership.
