DOD Near Completion of Report on Military’s Use of Rare Earth Minerals

Department of Defense officials are expected to sign off as early as this week on a report detailing just how dependent the U.S. military is on rare earth minerals. While the report has been in the works for over a year (it was required by Congress), it comes as rare More…

Clean Technology, China and the Trade Deficit

The following chart tells you everything you need to know about the United States’ trading relationship with China on green technology, an issue that you’ll be hearing about a lot during the next several months.

Report: China Blocking Rare Earth Mineral Shipments to U.S.

Just days after the Obama administration announced that it is investigating China’s clean energy trade policies, The New York Times is reporting that the country has blocked shipments to the United States of rare earth minerals essential for the manufacturing of green technologies.

If this is true (the More…

China Dismisses U.S. Investigation of Its Green Tech Trade Policies as Midterm Politicking

China this weekend directly challenged the United States for questioning its green technology trade rules. Following the Obama administration’s announcement last week that it would investigate the country’s clean energy trade practices, the Chinese government said Sunday that American politicians were simply using the issue to score points ahead More…

Obama Administration Says It Will Investigate China’s Green Tech Trade Policies

The Obama administration announced today that it is launching an investigation into China’s green technology trade policies. The investigation is in response to a lengthy petition filed last month by the United Steelworkers.

U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said today that he would investigate the claims made in the petition More…

Lomborg Says His Positions on Climate Haven’t Changed

I missed this, but Politico noted it this morning. Bjorn Lomborg, who caused quite a stir last month when the Guardian reported he had a change of heart on his long-time position on climate change, says his positions haven’t changed at all.

Brown Agrees with Steelworkers: China’s Green Tech Subsidies Unfair

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) is backing a petition filed to the Obama administration today by the United Steelworkers that accuses China of violating World Trade Organization rules by unfairly subsidizing exports of materials and equipment necessary to develop green energy technology.

Obama Promises Prominent Role For Richardson at Commerce

Many in the punditocracy wondered aloud why New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson — a former congressman, energy secretary, and ambassador to the United Nations and presidential candidate — would be willing to take the historically low-profile position of secretary of commerce. (Quick, name either of the men who held the More…