House Resolution 246
By: Representatives Thomas of the 21st, Smith of the 70th, Jones of the 47th, Efstration of the
104th, Cannon of the 172nd, and others
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing and commending the Georgia Institute of Technology and its partners for their
NSF GRACE Engine proposal; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, the State of Georgia is experiencing booming growth of battery, electric
vehicle, and solar industries and ranks No. 1 in the nation in clean energy investment; and
WHEREAS, the region hosts large reserves of alternative resources for the production of
minerals critical to national security and economic competitiveness, including rare earth
elements and graphite; and
WHEREAS, robust supply chains for these critical minerals do not currently exist in the
United States, and raw materials are primarily imported from abroad; and
WHEREAS, there exists an unparalleled strategic opportunity to build a sustainable critical
resource supply chain and clean energy ecosystem for the state and region; and
WHEREAS, the Georgia Institute of Technology and its partner institutions have proposed
the Growing Resilience for America's Critical Mineral Economy (GRACE) Engine to meet
the current supply chain challenges and ensure the end-to-end competitiveness of the new
energy economy in Georgia; and
WHEREAS, the GRACE Engine aims to advance four interdependent focus areas, including
the optimal use of regional resources and waste valorization in the establishment of a critical
mineral supply chain; innovation incorporating workforce development and community
engagement; technology translation and commercialization that considers economic,
environmental, and social dimensions; and strategic investment and sustainability that
ensures the ecosystem has the necessary public and private investments to achieve the
previous focus areas; and
WHEREAS, the GRACE Engine will enable a self-sustained, inclusive, and equitable
regional clean energy ecosystem that is unique to Georgia and globally competitive; and
WHEREAS, the GRACE Engine will offer the State of Georgia an expanded infrastructure
for workforce development in the critical mineral industry, enrich innovation translation
frameworks to support business start-ups of all sizes, and establish diverse and accessible
pathways for a skilled workforce to support family-sustaining jobs, including in Georgia's
rural and disadvantaged communities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body recognize and commend the Georgia Institute of Technology and
its partners for their NSF GRACE Engine proposal and acknowledge the importance of
continuing this effort to ensure Georgia's economic competitiveness and quality of life.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the
public and the press.