Rare earth materials

HR 6160 Department of Energy to develop an alternative supply of rare earths through virgin or recycled supplies, or through alternative/substitute materials.  Kathy Dahlkemper (D-PA-04) sponsored that bill.

China is the source of most rare earth materials.  They are using their monopoly in a geopolitical grudge match to cut off Japan.  Japan is moving to recycle rare earth materials from existing electronics now.

The House passed HR 6160 on September 28, 2010, right after passing the currency bill, to create a program at the Department of Energy to develop an alternative supply of rare earths through virgin or recycled supplies, or through alternative/substitute materials.  Kathy Dahlkemper (D-PA-04) sponsored that bill.

Here is the list of rare earth materials, in case you were wondering, as per that bill:

(A) Scandium.
(B) Yttrium.
(C) Lanthanum.
(D) Cerium.
(E) Praseodymium.
(F) Neodymium.
(G) Promethium.
(H) Samarium.
(I) Europium.
(J) Gadolinium.
(K) Terbium.
(L) Dysprosium.
(M) Holmium.
(N) Erbium.
(O) Thulium.
(P) Ytterbium.
(Q) Lutetium.