news

On December 14th, Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) sent a letter to President Obama stressing the importance of a strategy to develop, mine and produce rare earth elements (REEs) in the United States.  REEs are used in numerous products that Americans use every day, from mobile phones to computers.  A copy of the letter can be found here.

Since 2002, when the Mountain Pass, California production facility ceased its operations, the United States has been 100 percent reliant on foreign sources of REEs.  For many decades, the United States was independent when it came to rare earth element production, but now the United States relies on China for at least 91 percent of its REE imports.  

“Rare earth elements are an integral part of our nation’s economy and manufacturing, mining and technological bases.  We should not and can no longer rely on countries such as China who not only control at least 96 percent of the world’s REE production, but who are reportedly increasing export taxes on rare earth materials at a range of 15 to 25 percent.  With REE deposits readily available in many states throughout the United States, we must develop a plan to reduce our dependency on foreign REEs, which will help strengthen our economy and bring jobs to the United States,” Latta stated after sending the letter to President Obama.