The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“RARE EARTH POLICY TASK FORCE AND MATERIALS ACT” mentioning the Department of Interior was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1099 on June 15, 2011.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
RARE EARTH POLICY TASK FORCE AND MATERIALS ACT
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HON. MIKE COFFMAN
of colorado
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation that would help reestablish a competitive rare earth domestic supply chain as part of my ongoing effort to avert a rare earth supply crisis in the United States.
There are 17 rare earth minerals that are used in many advanced technologies, from computers to precision guided munitions to components necessary for the production of renewable energies. They are dispersed widely around the earth's crust but rarely in concentrations that are commercially viable.
With 97 percent of the world's supply of rare earth metals, China has proven to be an unreliable trading partner. Not only has their government ordered a reduction in exports of rare earth metals, but they have used their near monopoly status as leverage on unrelated issues.
My bill, the Rare Earth Policy Task Force and Materials Act, requires the Department of the Interior to establish a government-wide task force to review and report back on all U.S. laws, regulations or policies that discourage the reestablishment of a domestic rare earth industry.
It also calls for a comprehensive plan for research, development, demonstration, and commercial application to ensure the long-term, secure, and sustainable supply of rare earth materials for the United States. In addition, the plan includes proposals on how to promote recycling possibilities and alternative materials that could act as substitutes. The measures were also part of the RESTART Act of 2011, which I introduced earlier this year.
There is simply no reason to be almost 100 percent reliant on China for rare earth metals when we have such abundant resources here at home. I urge my colleagues to quickly move this legislation.
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