The Energy Act of 2020 directed the USGS to update the list of critical minerals, and the list is timely to provide guidance for use of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds, both for the USGS and other agencies. The act also indicates that at least every three years, the Department of the Interior must review and update the list of critical minerals, update the methodology used to identify potential critical minerals, take interagency feedback and public comment through the Federal Register, and ultimately finalize the list of critical minerals.The 2022 list of critical minerals includes the following Aluminum, used in almost all sectors of the economyAntimony, used in lead-acid batteries and flame retardantsArsenic, used in semi-conductorsBarite, used in hydrocarbon production.Beryllium, used as an alloying agent in aerospace and defense industriesBismuth, used in medical and atomic researchCerium, used in catalytic converters, ceramics, glass, metallurgy, and polishing compoundsCesium, used in research and developmentChromium, used primarily in stainless steel and other alloysCobalt, used in rechargeable batteries and superalloysDysprosium, used in permanent magnets, data storage devices, and lasersErbium, used in fiber optics, optical amplifiers, lasers, and glass colorantsEuropium, used in phosphors and nuclear control rodsFluorspar, used in the manufacture of aluminum, cement, steel, gasoline, and fluorine chemicalsGadolinium, used in medical imaging, permanent magnets, and steelmakingGallium, used for integrated circuits and optical devices like LEDsGermanium, used for fiber optics and night vision applicationsGraphite , used for lubricants, batteries, and fuel cellsHafnium, used for nuclear control rods, alloys, and high-temperature ceramicsHolmium, used in permanent magnets, nuclear control rods, and lasersIndium, used in liquid crystal display screensIridium, used as coating of anodes for electrochemical processes and as a chemical catalystLanthanum, used to produce catalysts, ceramics, glass, polishing compounds, metallurgy, and batteriesLithium, used for rechargeable batteriesLutetium, used in scintillators for medical imaging, electronics, and some cancer therapiesMagnesium, used as an alloy and for reducing metalsManganese, used in steelmaking and batteriesNeodymium, used in permanent magnets, rubber catalysts, and in medical and industrial lasersNickel, used to make stainless steel, superalloys, and rechargeable batteriesNiobium, used mostly in steel and superalloysPalladium, used in catalytic converters and as a catalyst agentPlatinum, used in catalytic convertersPraseodymium, used in permanent magnets, batteries, aerospace alloys, ceramics, and colorantsRhodium, used in catalytic converters, electrical components, and as a catalystRubidium, used for research and development in electronicsRuthenium, used as catalysts, as well as electrical contacts and chip resistors in computersSamarium, used in permanent magnets, as an absorber in nuclear reactors, and in cancer treatmentsScandium, used for alloys, ceramics, and fuel cellsTantalum, used in electronic components, mostly capacitors and in superalloysTellurium, used in solar cells, thermoelectric devices, and as alloying additiveTerbium, used in permanent magnets, fiber optics, lasers, and solid-state devicesThulium, used in various metal alloys and in lasersTin, used as protective coatings and alloys for steelTitanium, used as a white pigment or metal alloysTungsten, primarily used to make wear-resistant metalsVanadium, primarily used as alloying agent for iron and steelYtterbium, used for catalysts, scintillometers, lasers, and metallurgyYttrium, used for ceramic, catalysts, lasers, metallurgy, and phosphorsZinc, primarily used in metallurgy to produce galvanized steelZirconium, used in the high-temperature ceramics and corrosion-resistant alloys.The new list has added uranium, copper, silver, metallurgical coal, potash, silicon, and lead.The "national security" angle has become more more "critical" when defining executive powers. That power is being tested in the courts with yesterday's Supreme Court arguments presented by the Trump administration in hopes to keep the executive power on tariffs, using national security as the argument.Needless to say extending the list is a benefit to the presidents defense. If China withholds critical materials - or now copper, or lead, does that give the Pres. powers to retaliate with tariffs. This article was written by Greg Michalowski at investinglive.com.