WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Lisa Murkowski introduced the bipartisan Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) Reauthorization Act to fund the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Earth MRI program, which improves our understanding of critical mineral, geothermal, and other subsurface resources across the country.
“As a former geologist, I’ve seen firsthand how geology helps build a stronger future,” said Hickenlooper. “To meet our urgent economic and national security challenges, we need to continue funding critical minerals research and exploration, all while investing in the geologists of tomorrow.”
“Earth MRI has proven its worth many times over for both the private and public sectors, which is why I worked to establish the program in the Energy Act of 2020, before securing funding for it through IIJA. In Alaska, Earth MRI has been especially valuable in helping us understand our own resource potential and in predicting hazards that many Alaskan communities face. Since the program’s launch, mineral exploration spending in Alaska has more than doubled,” Murkowski said. “Understanding the resources beneath our feet is integral as we work to secure our domestic energy production and supply chains. Reauthorizing this program and now accounting for modern mapping technologies is one of the best investments we can make to build on the foundational work already underway and ensure the U.S. remains competitive in developing the resources needed for our energy future.”
Since its launch in 2019, Earth MRI has accelerated project timelines, reduced exploration risk, trained the next generation of the geologic workforce, and lowered costs by making foundational geologic information publicly available. A 2025 economic analysis by the American Geosciences Institute found that federal geologic mapping provides a high return on investment, generating between $23 and $35 in benefits for every dollar invested. Current funding for Earth MRI is set to expire at the end of FY26.
“The Geological Society of America applauds continued support for the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative. Earth MRI is one of the nation’s most important tools for identifying critical mineral potential, modernizing geoscience data, and strengthening domestic resource security,” said Bridgette Moore, Interim Executive Director and CEO, The Geological Society of America. “Investments through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act have accelerated mapping, geophysical surveys, and geochemical characterization across the country, improving our understanding of the nation’s mineral resource potential. As the U.S. works to strengthen domestic supply chains, a comprehensive understanding of our geologic resources is more important than ever.”
“Earth MRI is not only improving our understanding of domestic mineral resources, it is also helping train the next generation of geoscientists through hands-on mapping, geophysical, and geochemical investigations. The publicly available data generated through the program provides lasting benefits for critical minerals, groundwater, geothermal energy, natural hazards, and land-use planning. The Colorado Geological Survey strongly supports reauthorization of this highly successful program,” said Matt Morgan, State Geologist and Director, Colorado Geological Survey at the Colorado School of Mines.
Specifically, the bill would:
- Reauthorize Earth MRI for an additional five years at levels similar to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
- Expand the program to include natural hydrogen, an emerging domestic energy resource.
Hickenlooper has called for a ‘Project Mercury’ for critical materials, arguing that America needs to take back the reins on critical minerals production to secure energy independence. In the 119th Congress, Hickenlooper has led and co-sponsored multiple other critical minerals related bills, including:
- The bipartisan STRATEGIC Minerals Act to foster critical minerals trade with our international allies
- His bipartisan Unearth Innovation Act to establish a DOE program for sustainable critical mineral research innovation and recycling
- His bipartisan Critical Materials Future Act to establish a pilot program for the Department of Energy to financially support domestic critical material processing projects
Full text of the Earth MRI Reauthorization Act available HERE.
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