Lithium Production, Grant Review, and National Lab Security

Demand for lithium has increased substantially in recent years.
The United States is responsible for approximately $1\%$ of lithium mining globally.
The United States has less than $5\%$ of advanced lithium chemical processing capacity globally.
Lithium is necessary for a wide range of uses, including critical military capabilities.

The Department of Energy selected Standard Lithium in Equinor for a $225,000,000$ grant to develop lithium reserves in South Arkansas.
The lithium reserves are located in the Smackover Formation.
Geological surveys have found approximately $34,000,000$ tons of lithium in the formation.
The grant was announced before the current tenure and is under review.
A decision on the approval of the grant is expected by August, possibly sooner.

Existing projects are being funded, but with increased scrutiny.
Concern over past funding decisions, particularly those made near the end of the previous administration.
Approximately $90,000,000,000$ was lent after election day and before inauguration which is double the $15,000,000,000$ - $25,000,000,000$ of the last two days.
A project's funding increased from over $2,000,000$ to over $200,000,000$ with minimal justification.
Emphasis on responsible, credible, and thoughtful allocation of American taxpayer monies.
Building mines in America is challenging, but extracting lithium from brines via boreholes and salt is potentially promising.
There were a lot of inappropriate actions in the lame duck period, with projects being funded that should not have been funded.
Lithium is vital for almost every walk of modern life and is a point of contention in trade negotiations with China.

Legislation has been introduced to ban foreign scientists from adversarial countries like Russia, China, and Iran.
A review of security policies is underway at the 17 national labs.
The review is an ongoing process, with regular discussions with lab directors.
Balancing the need to protect sensitive research with the benefits of international collaboration.
Chinese nationals working on non-sensitive projects may be approved if they have unique expertise, reducing a pool of hundreds to a dramatically smaller number.
Concerns that countries of concern have "zero scruples" about stealing sensitive information.
Matrix approach is being used to balance scientific research with security concerns. Prioritizing caution due to the national importance of the research.