American mining is struggling to meet its goals under the Biden administration, leading some in the industry to point the finger at a fragmented industry advocacy presence in D.C., Jael writes.

Why it matters: The U.S. is extremely reliant on foreign nations for high-demand metals, presenting what experts warn is an economic risk amid high geopolitical tensions.

• Yet most of what companies with U.S. mining operations want — tariffs, permits and direct investments in projects — isn't happening, except for occasional fistfuls of cash.
• An industry source who spoke on condition of anonymity said, "I think any time there's fragmentation, and there's a lack of a united front, interests are going to have a hard time in D.C."

Driving the news: The U.S. mining sector has suffered loss after loss despite a growing list of industry-focused trade groups and lobbyist-led "coalitions."

• Not all losses have been related to permits. Low metal prices have left work idling at what was supposed to be the first U.S. cobalt mine in decades and significant layoffs at a Tennessee lithium processing plant that was backed by President Biden.

Between the lines: Several government affairs executives, who spoke anonymously to avoid blowback, said the minerals lobby has become so fractured it has difficulty achieving policy victories.

• Multiple executives said there's essentially a vacuum in leadership, with one prominent organization, the National Mining Association, making it difficult for ESG-minded companies to work with because of its coal mining members.
• That's despite NMA's active relationship with some arms of the Biden administration.

Zoom in: NMA has long opposed U.S. climate policies that would phase out coal.

• Mining giant and NMA member Rio Tinto said in a report last year that the group's approach to climate was "on balance not aligned" with Rio Tinto's own policy.

How it works: One recent mining advocate is the Zero Emission Transportation Association, which focuses on making EVs, charging stations and batteries.

• ZETA comprises many U.S. companies that aren't NMA members, including Albemarle, owner of the nation's sole operating lithium mine.
• And many informal "associations" have cropped up in recent years via lobbying firms — the Battery Materials & Technology Coalition, the Key Minerals Forum and the Coalition for American Battery Independence. Some of their members also aren't in NMA.

The other side: The NMA said it speaks "with one voice for American mining."

• Spokesperson Ashley Burke said its membership is "firmly aligned around core issues such as common-sense regulation, land access, permitting, safety and health, infrastructure and more."
• It provided a statement from Mitchell Krebs, CEO of precious metals mining company Coeur Mining. Krebs said NMA "has collaboratively worked with its minerals members to develop a strategy to advance our collective priorities and is executing to great effect."

Meet Ashleigh de la Torre, Amazon's D.C. sustainability policy maven, Jael writes.

Why she matters: She spearheads how the global tech giant approaches key climate policy issues in Washington.

• Before joining the private sector, she worked for years with Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas.
• Now she handles Amazon's approach to federal policies relevant to decarbonizing its sprawling shipping and logistics — an integral part of the company's net-zero goals.
• She also loves musicals. Ask her about Sondheim and she'll gush.

Jael chatted with Ashleigh at The Ministry, a Latina-owned coffee shop she loves. Here's an abridged version of their conversation …

What's your view on how D.C. talks about sustainability?

I think it's become so much more of a part of every discussion. Sustainability is naturally and organically becoming table stakes in how companies are making decisions and how politicians are talking about issues, whereas before it was considered an ancillary issue.

Why?

The obvious answer is it is just a crisis, the climate change and sustainability issues that we have. And I don't see as many climate deniers as I used to. I don't know what to attribute that to other than for us, our customers are demanding it, our employees are demanding it, we're demanding it, and I think that's happening on the Hill and Main Street. It's no longer an issue people can ignore.

What is the issue in climate and sustainability policy you're focused on most?

Transportation decarb. How are we creating opportunities to drive prosperity and increase adoption for companies like Amazon.… Right now we're inventing and investing, we're paying green premiums … policies like low carbon fuel standards, sustainable aviation fuel. At the local level, allowing e-bikes for deliveries.

Do you think the direction of U.S. policy around transportation decarbonization will be stable in the short and long term?

I am a stubborn optimist and I think, yes, we will continue to go in this direction. Companies regardless of potential change[s] in policies are making these investments and moving long-term.… That's not going to get unwound.

Candidly, might be all I really need.

That's all you need? I had all these things I wanted to talk about. Like the FAA bill!

The FAA bill?

Yeah, it's super-important for our priorities around the creation of sustainable aviation fuel.

There's provisions that would help airports make investments, driving airport decarb. And what's also important for us is drone provisions, because that would be a way we're helping to decarbonize; all-electric drones taking delivery trucks off the road. We're very hopeful [about] the FAA bill.

🔋 1. EV charging clarification: DOE said that Secretary Jennifer Granholm last week meant to say the U.S. would have over 200,000 public chargers in place by year's end — not 2,000 funded by the IIJA.

🤑 2. Price fix push: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is asking the DOJ to investigate price fixing in the oil industry. Read Nick's coverage from this morning.

💨 3. Carbon credit salvo: The White House is campaigning to clean up the Wild West of carbon credit markets, Axios' Ben Geman reported.

🛢️ 4. Casey's hydrogen hope: Sen. Bob Casey, a 2024 frontline senator, came out with a letter last week urging the administration to change proposed plans for the 45V hydrogen credit to be more flexible for gas.

🚌 5. Bus a move: The EPA rolled out another funding tranche for its school bus decarb effort that we've explained is under considerable congressional scrutiny.

Hey everyone, Jael here! It's been a total thrill to help you learn about the energy policy shaping our nation today.

• I wanted to give you a farewell piece of advice before I head out the door for my next adventure: Do not let this city change you.
• Too often in D.C., friends become networking opportunities, and the lives of the less fortunate become jargon, shorthand and newspeak.
• So if you can, take a moment out of each day to reflect and think about the lives of those less fortunate. As we Jews say, it is tzedakah.