September 26, 2010

In the wake of the China/Japan territorial dispute which brought rare earth and technology metal control into the spotlight, a new bipartisan bill has been introduced into Congress. On September 22, 2010, Representative Kathy Dahlkemper (D-PA) introduced the Rare Earths and Critical Materials Revitalization Act of 2010 into the House of Representatives along with TREM10 keynote speaker Representative Mike Coffman (R-CO), Representative Jerry Lewis (R-CA), Representative Bart Gordon (D-TN) and Representative Russ Carnahan (D-MO).

The bill requires that the Department of Energy establish a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application to assure the long-term, secure, and sustainable supply of rare earth materials sufficient to satisfy the national security, economic well-being, and industrial production needs of the United States.

The bill further requires the creation of a Research and Development Information Center. This Center will serve as the repository for scientific and technical data generated by the research and development activities funded under this section. It will also assist scientists and engineers in making the fullest possible use of the Center's data holdings and seek and incorporate other information on rare earth materials to enhance the Center's utility for program participants and other users. Furthermore, the Center will provide advice to the Secretary concerning the research and development program under subsection and finally, it will host conferences, at least annually, for participants in the rare earth materials program and other interested parties to promote information sharing and encourage new collaborative activities.

The Technology and Rare Earth Metals Center, currently a division of the Insititute for the Analysis of Global Security, is proud to hold our annual conference this year on March 22-23, 2010 in Washington DC for members of the US Government, metals companies and technology OEMs, as well as members of academia.

[Ed: Thanks to Megan Moore for her assistance. yv]