China also mines most of the world supply of neodymium which is used in permanent magnets for off shore wind generators. Since it is a lanthanide it is found with various radioactive elements and its own radioactive isotope. This has caused US mining of lanthanides to be regulated to extinction.
North America needs to return to a mindset that allows us to use our natural resources wisely. We can do both — protect our environment while also mining, logging, drilling, etc.
If you Google "Baotou China rare minerals," you will quickly learn how much China worries about environmental protection. TL: DR They don't. As part of their commitment to becoming the world energy superpower, they turn a blind eye to refineries pumping toxic and radioactive refinery waste directly onto the ground.
That is why I argue that those who seriously believe using Chinese-built solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries helps us to "protect the environment" are painfully naive or simply ignorant.
I'll let Josh know that you liked his article. I agree with you 100%, which is why I liked Josh's closing lines.
"If we boost American rare earth production, those materials shouldn’t be wasted on subsidy-dependent wind and solar industries. Instead, they should be directed toward products American consumers want–computers, phones and possibly a few electric vehicles.
Trying to scale up American production for net zero technologies is competing to win a game we shouldn’t bother playing."
Can’t really get any clearer than this…..
China also mines most of the world supply of neodymium which is used in permanent magnets for off shore wind generators. Since it is a lanthanide it is found with various radioactive elements and its own radioactive isotope. This has caused US mining of lanthanides to be regulated to extinction.
North America needs to return to a mindset that allows us to use our natural resources wisely. We can do both — protect our environment while also mining, logging, drilling, etc.
If you Google "Baotou China rare minerals," you will quickly learn how much China worries about environmental protection. TL: DR They don't. As part of their commitment to becoming the world energy superpower, they turn a blind eye to refineries pumping toxic and radioactive refinery waste directly onto the ground.
That is why I argue that those who seriously believe using Chinese-built solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries helps us to "protect the environment" are painfully naive or simply ignorant.
I wrote about China's priorities on energy in an earlier post. https://jasonhayes.substack.com/p/prediction-is-very-difficult-especially.
well written, sir. thank you. BTW, the question isn't "can" the US supply net zero, its "should" net zero be pursued.
I'll let Josh know that you liked his article. I agree with you 100%, which is why I liked Josh's closing lines.
"If we boost American rare earth production, those materials shouldn’t be wasted on subsidy-dependent wind and solar industries. Instead, they should be directed toward products American consumers want–computers, phones and possibly a few electric vehicles.
Trying to scale up American production for net zero technologies is competing to win a game we shouldn’t bother playing."