Blogito, Ergo Sum
by Gregg Calkins
15 December 2010, a Wednesday
One reason why we don’t have as much influence with China as we’d like to have sometimes:
...the report presents a fairly gloomy assessment of the United States’ ability to wean itself from Chinese imports. For as long as the next 15 years, the supplies of at least five minerals that come almost exclusively from China will remain as vulnerable to disruption as they are absolutely vital to the manufacture of small yet powerful electric motors, energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs and other clean energy technologies, the report said.
The five minerals are medium and heavy rare earth elements of which China mines an estimated 96 percent to 99.8 percent of the world’s supply: dysprosium, terbium, neodymium, europium and yttrium.
And what’s OUR problem?
Dozens of small mining companies hope to open new mines in the United States and elsewhere that could tap reserves of medium and heavy rare earths. But these small companies face formidable legal, financial, marketing and management obstacles, the Energy Department report said.
Oh. Those things.
Here’s a nice disconnect for you on this short day. The Washington Post thinks this is an important discussion topic:
Which city has better restaurants? What are your favorites? What do D.C. area restaurants have that New York's don't?
With unemployment approaching ten percent and the nation in financial crisis, is this something most Americans really worry about? What does it say about the people in Washington and New York who do?