(Worthy Insights) – A study by a team at the University of Texas at Austin found coal ash contains significant amounts of rare earth elements, critical materials used in technology and energy infrastructure. The U.S. currently imports over 80% of its rare earth supply, with 75% coming from China.
Coal ash in the U.S. may hold $8.4 billion worth of rare earth elements, totaling 11 million tons, which is nearly eight times greater than the country’s current domestic reserves.
The U.S. Department of Energy is applying the study’s methodology to conduct a national assessment of coal ash resources. [ Source (Read More…) ]
Fair Use Notice:This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.