President of The Fertilizer Institute, Corey Rosenbusch, this week welcomed the introduction of the Lower Energy Costs Act.
TFI says the legislation will provide a streamlined and simplified permitting process for hard rock mining, including phosphate and potash mining.
Rosenbusch says, “Delays are measured in years and in the millions of dollars, with those paying the price being consumers who are already struggling with the rising costs of everyday goods.”
The delays Rosenbusch referenced include a permit to mine phosphate in Florida that took nearly ten years and tens of millions of dollars in expert fees, studies, legal analysis, and legal fees, and a mining expansion permit for an existing mine that has been in limbo for over 12 years at a cost of over $25 million that has yet to be approved.
The fertilizer industry is asking Congress for a reliable and predictable permitting process to ensure mining projects have a clear path toward compliance and approval.