Why It Matters

TerraVolta Resources II LLC is a first-time federal lobbyist entering a fiercely competitive landscape, focusing on securing Department of Energy grants for its geothermal lithium extraction projects—a strategy timed to capitalize on bipartisan congressional momentum around domestic critical minerals supply chains.

Multiple bills are advancing through Congress, including the Unearth Innovation Act and the Critical Minerals and Manufacturing Support Act. However, the policy environment has grown volatile: while the DOE distributed nearly $1.82 billion to lithium and battery projects, the Trump administration has canceled over $700 million in battery manufacturing grants, signaling unpredictable funding windows.

TerraVolta hired Holland & Knight LLP—a major Washington firm with $150 million in annual lobbying income—to deploy a three-person team.

By the Numbers

TerraVolta Resources II LLC has no prior federal lobbying history before engaging Holland & Knight LLP in 2025.

The lobbying team consists of three registered advocates:

  • Molly Ryan Ross: Former Legislative Assistant to Senator Susan Collins with 6 years and 8 months of Senate experience, specializing in DOE funding and critical minerals advocacy.

  • Robert Phillips: DOE grants specialist with prior experience on "Department of Energy grants and federal energy solutions services" for Ameresco Inc.

  • Taite R. McDonald: Battery supply chain specialist with expertise in advanced manufacturing and Inflation Reduction Act implementation.

The Agenda

TerraVolta Resources II LLC is lobbying exclusively for Department of Energy grants related to energy and natural resources. The company specializes in extracting lithium from geothermal brines using Direct Lithium Extraction technology in the Smackover Formation in East Texas.

TerraVolta’s focus aligns with intense bipartisan congressional activity. Key senators from lithium-producing states like Arkansas and Texas have specifically urged federal support for lithium producers in the Smackover Formation, where TerraVolta operates.

Broader Context

Congress is experiencing bipartisan momentum to develop domestic lithium supply chains and reduce Chinese processing dependence. Global lithium demand surged nearly 30 percent in 2024, driven by electric vehicle expansion, while the U.S. remains entirely import-dependent for lithium processing.

Direct Lithium Extraction technology—TerraVolta’s focus—is emerging as commercially viable. The DOE established a dedicated geothermal lithium extraction prize and funded major projects like EnergySource Minerals’ $1.22 billion loan.

However, funding volatility presents risks. Nearly $28 billion in cleantech factory investments have been paused or delayed, creating uncertainty for federal support programs.

Between The Lines

Congressional hearings are creating favorable conditions for TerraVolta’s lobbying push. The House Natural Resources Committee held "Now Ore Never: the Importance of Domestic Mining for U.S. National Security," while House Energy and Commerce convened on "Enhancing Our Domestic Critical Mineral Supply Chains."

Several bills align with TerraVolta’s interests: H.R.4350 – Unearth America’s Future Act would establish loan programs for critical materials manufacturing, while S.598 – Unearth Innovation Act directs DOE funding for emerging extraction technologies.

Competitive Landscape

TerraVolta faces established competition from Albemarle Corp., which is lobbying heavily on "oil field brine lithium development," and Controlled Thermal Resources, pursuing geothermal lithium projects in California’s "Lithium Valley."

This competitive environment reflects broader congressional momentum but signals that available federal funding will be heavily contested among well-resourced applicants with established lobbying operations.

The Bottom Line

TerraVolta’s timing aligns with congressional momentum on critical minerals legislation, though funding remains competitive and volatile. While bipartisan interest in domestic lithium supply persists, success depends on navigating a crowded applicant pool and surviving policy shifts in an increasingly uncertain federal funding landscape.

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