[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 86 (Wednesday, June 15, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1099]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             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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