Biden administration considers price support for US minerals to counter China

The Biden administration is contemplating federal price supports for U.S. critical minerals projects to counter the impact of cheap Chinese imports that threaten domestic production.

James Bikales reports for POLITICO.

In short:

The Energy Department may establish a price floor for U.S.-produced critical minerals to secure domestic supply chains.
Chinese oversupply has caused mineral prices to plummet, endangering U.S. projects that received Biden administration grants.
The proposal seeks to protect U.S. projects from foreign market manipulation, potentially requiring Congressional approval.

Key quote:

“If we move forward on anything like this, the intent would be to give the nudge that is needed to set off the flywheel, versus create a permanent subsidy or cushion for a particular sector or company going forward.”

— Anonymous Energy Department official

Why this matters:

China’s dominance in the critical minerals market threatens the U.S.’s ability to produce essential materials for clean energy technologies. Ensuring a stable domestic supply chain is vital for national security and the clean energy transition.

www.politico.com

A group of dirty small pigs at a pig farm

Credit: Getty Images/Unsplash+

Iowa livestock boom outpaces oversight as manure pollution grows, analysis finds

The number of large, concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in Iowa increased 13% over the past six years, according to a new report. It's a mounting problem in a state that generates more than 100 million tons of manure annually, contributing to persistent water pollution and health problems.

Read the Full Article on

www.thenewlede.org

Biden administration considers price support for US minerals to counter China

‘Zero consultation’: Tribal reps say they were left out of monument reduction decisions

New York becomes first state in the nation to pause new hyperscale data centers

Water pollution has long been a threat to the Great Barrier Reef – plans to fix it aren’t up to the task

Iowa livestock boom outpaces oversight as manure pollution grows, analysis finds

Opinion: The experience of climate change captures dangerous shift better than numbers

Collapsing mountains in Alaska are causing massive tsunamis

The surprising upside of asking people to use less energy

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.