After first approving the city's flood repair cost at $1.1 million, the federal emergency response agency later said it was only entitled to about $200.
The mandate requires executive department agencies to review and assess whether public works construction projects totaling more than $35 million are favorable for workers and the community.
The funding allows construction of Phase I of the project to proceed, expected to produce 40,000 metric tons of battery-quality lithium carbonate each year.
$10B megaplant, set to be the largest using gas in North America, will be built under a project labor agreement, says contractor, and replaces a closed coal-fired plant that was imploded.