U.S. Issues Request for Information on Rare Earth Metals

The Department of Energy has released a Request for Information (RFI) soliciting information from the public on rare earth metals and other materials used in the energy sector.

Responses to this RFI will inform an update to DOE's Critical Materials Strategy (pdf – 5.7mb ), released December 15, 2010, that assessed the use of rare earth metals and other materials important to the development and deployment of a variety of clean energy technologies, such as wind turbines, hybrid vehicles, solar panels and energy efficient light bulbs.

The updated strategy, expected later this year, will include additional analysis of rapidly-changing market conditions.

It will analyze the use of critical materials in other technologies, such as fluid cracking catalysts in petroleum refineries.

Finally, the updated strategy will identify specific steps forward for substitution, recycling and more efficient use of materials identified as critical.

"Having the best, most up-to-date information will help the Department identify opportunities to address critical material challenges in the energy economy," said David Sandalow, Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs.

Review the Request for Information.

Responses are due no later than 5:00pm (EDT) on May 24, 2011, and should be submitted electronically to [email protected].