Good morning, and thank you to our witnesses for joining us today. We are here to discuss a crucial topic with far-reaching implications for both commerce and the national security of the United States: the scientific and technological advancements of deep-sea exploration and mining.
For years, NOAA has worked with other federal agencies, and now the commercial sector, to achieve the ambitious goals of mapping and surveying the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The U.S. EEZ is the largest in the world, spanning over 13,000 miles of coastline and containing 3.4 million square nautical miles of ocean—greater than the combined land area of all fifty states.
Last March, we held a hearing that illustrated NOAA cannot meet these mapping goals alone, and that public-private partnerships are key to accomplishing this mission. This work is essential for locating vital resources which have become increasingly difficult to secure, especially when so many of these critical minerals are under the control of hostile nations.
Last April, President Trump signed Executive Order 14285—titled Unleashing America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources—establishing policies to advance U.S. leadership in seabed mineral exploration and responsible commercial recovery. Additionally, NOAA announced a final rule in January to streamline regulations for the exploration and extraction of deep-sea minerals. This will make it faster for companies to apply for consolidated permits and reduce bureaucratic red tape that held the industry back for decades—all while ensuring appropriate environmental protections.
This is an important step toward ensuring the United States maintains a leadership role in the expansion of deep-sea mining. Critical minerals, including cobalt, nickel, copper, and manganese, are vital to industries across our country. Energy generation, cell phones, defense systems, and satellites—in essence, the technological basis of modern life—depend on the availability of these essential elements.
Responsible development of these minerals requires thoughtful risk assessment and management of potential environmental impacts. The oceans are vital to many industries, and we have a responsibility to extract these resources in a way that benefits the United States without causing undue damage to ocean ecosystems.
Today’s hearing will highlight the full technological cycle of current mining activities. We will hear from witnesses about exploration, the mapping and research side, as well as extraction, the production side. This will help prepare us for the future of deep-sea mining and the role Congress will play in shaping it.
Ensuring our operations are protected is key to this continued success, as adversaries like China and Russia will undoubtedly seek to undermine the United States. Numerous ports across the United States, such as the Port of Tampa Bay, will be hubs for critical minerals processing. Coordination across federal agencies will be essential to protecting assets and ensuring American dominance.
We already know that China has ramped up mining activities in the Pacific and has repeatedly demonstrated that it does not follow the same rules as other countries.
At the same time, a robust private sector that contributes a range of technologies and techniques is required to advance ocean science, not just deep-sea mining.
Floridians know that the health of our economy is directly connected to the strength of our waterways and ports. The innovations we are discussing here today support a thriving blue economy, which benefits all Americans.
I look forward to working with members of this Committee to establish a well-rounded approach to this growing market. I again want to thank our witnesses for being here, and I look forward to each of your testimonies.