Murkowski, Hickenlooper Move to Reauthorize Cost-Effective Geological Mapping
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) introduced legislation to reauthorize the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI), a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) program that improves understanding of geologic hazards, critical mineral, geothermal, and other subsurface resources across the country. Since its launch in 2019, Earth MRI has accelerated project timelines, reduced exploration risk, and lowered costs by making foundational geologic information publicly available. Current funding for Earth MRI is set to expire at the end of FY26.
“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,” Senator 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.”
“As a former geologist, I’ve seen firsthand how geology helps build a stronger future,” said Senator 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.”
"State geological surveys have seen firsthand the value of Earth MRI. Since its establishment, Earth MRI has become one of the most successful federal-state partnerships in the geosciences, providing the foundational mapping, geophysical, geochemical, and data resources needed to strengthen domestic mineral supply chains, support energy security, and improve our understanding of the Nation’s subsurface resources. AASG applauds Senators Murkowski and Hickenlooper for their bipartisan leadership and strongly supports reauthorization of this highly successful program," said Dr. Ruarri J. Day-Stirrat, President, Association of American State Geologists.
Background:
The legislation would reauthorize Earth MRI for an additional five years at funding levels similar to those provided under IIJA. The bill would also expand the program to include natural hydrogen, an emerging domestic energy resource that is attracting growing scientific and commercial interest.
USGS launched the Earth MRI initiative in 2019 to expand domestic geologic mapping and geophysical survey capabilities. The Energy Act of 2020 provided the first statutory framework for the effort before the program was formally authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) in 2021. Funding provided through IIJA is set to expire at the end of FY26.
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. Alaska consistently ranks as one of the top jurisdictions in the world for mineral investment attractiveness in annual surveys of mining companies, and the Earth MRI survey region in Interior Alaska has seen a 14% increase in staked mining claims since the program began.
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