H.R. 9616 · Passed House · Energy

EMRTAI Authorization Act of 2026

What it does

Authorizes the EPA to investigate, evaluate, and support processes and methods to identify and recover critical materials from contaminated sites.
Permits the EPA to provide awards and assistance to persons, nonprofit organizations, and state, local, and tribal government entities for critical material recovery.
Caps EPA assistance at $10 million per fiscal year in the aggregate and $3 million per recipient.
Terminates the program after 10 years.

Official summary

Environmental Monitoring and Remediation Technology Assessment Initiative Authorization Act of 2026 or the EMRTAI Authorization Act of 2026 This provides statutory authority for an initiative within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that recovers critical materials from contaminated sites. A critical material means (1) any non-fuel mineral, element, substance, or material that the Department of Energy determines has a high risk of a supply chain disruption and serves an essential function in energy technologies; and (2) any critical mineral. A critical mineral means any mineral, element, substance, or material designated as critical by the U.S. Geological Survey. Under the program, the EPA must investigate, evaluate, and support processes, methods, and systems which may be used to identify sources of critical materials at contaminated sites and recover such critical materials from those sites. In carrying out the program, the EPA may provide assistance (e.g., awards) to persons, nonprofit organizations, and state, local, and tribal government entities. The bill prohibits the EPA from providing assistance (1) in an amount that exceeds $10 million in any fiscal year in the…

Latest action

Sep 16, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Committee: Senate Environment and Public Works