COPPER5 Sep 2023 11:20
The US Department of Energy (DOE) this week officially added copper to its critical materials list, marking the first time a US government agency has included copper on one of its official “critical” lists, following the examples of the European Union, Japan, India, Canada and China.
2023 Critical Materials Assessment, which evaluated materials for their criticality to global clean energy technology supply chains, focuses on key materials with high risk of supply disruption that are integral to clean energy technologies.
The DOE critical materials list will inform eligibility for tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act 48C.
“The Copper Development Association (CDA) congratulates DOE on its thoughtful, forward-thinking analysis that resulted in copper’s inclusion on the Critical Materials list,” Andrew Kireta, Jr., CDA’s CEO, said in a separate statement.
“Copper is a major contributor to US economic and national security, and with copper demand projections doubling by 2035, primarily due to plans for the clean energy transition, electrification and clean water infrastructure. The nation would be defenseless without electricity and copper’s vital role in its generation, transmission, and distribution.”
Inclusion on the critical materials list reflects the reality that copper demand projections will require an increase in domestic production, the CDA noted.
Note the tax credit eligability