Office: Resource Sustainability
FOA number: DE-FOA-0003075
Download the full RFI: FedConnect

Background Information

On May 17, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) released a request for information (RFI) that seeks input on the regional assessment and production of rare earth elements, critical minerals, and novel high-value, nonfuel carbon-based products from unconventional and secondary feedstocks such as coal and coal by-products and effluent waters from oil and natural gas development and production. The input received through the RFI will inform DOE efforts to rebuild the nation’s critical minerals and materials supply chain, which supports high-tech manufacturing and the production of components for clean energy technologies that will help the nation reach the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of a net-zero emissions economy by 2050. These efforts will reduce our dependence on international supply chains, while also creating good-paying union jobs for American workers and healthier environments for communities across the country.

This RFI supports DOE’s Carbon Ore, Rare Earth, and Critical Minerals (CORE-CM) Initiative. The CORE-CM program’s initial focus was on the use of coal and coal by-products as feedstocks from traditional coal-producing basins, but DOE has expanded its interests in obtaining critical minerals and materials from other secondary and unconventional feedstocks.

This is a request for information only and DOE is not accepting application at this time. DOE may use information collected from this RFI for internal planning and decision-making purposes.

The deadline to submit responses for this request for information has closed.

Areas of Interest

DOE is looking for input to determine the best approach for the CORE-CM program to understand the full potential for all unconventional and secondary feedstocks.

DOE is interested in responses from industry, investors, developers, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, tribal governments, potentially impacted communities, and other stakeholders.

Organizations that respond to the RFI can respond to all or only a portion of the RFI.

Download the full request for information to see all of the input DOE is seeking.

Key Dates

Additional Information

• Download the request for information on FedConnect.
• Electronic responses must be submitted as an email attachment to DE-FOA-0003075RFI@NETL.DOE.GOV, with the subject line “DE-FOA-0003075-RFI”.
• While electronic responses are preferred, if a respondent wishes to respond by U.S mail, responses can be mailed to the following address. Responses must be postmarked by July 17, 2023.
  • DE-FOA-0003075RFI
    National Energy Technology Laboratory
    Building 922
    626 Cochran Mill Road
    Pittsburgh, PA 15236

Last Updated: July 19, 2023