NEWS

RARE: The Association for Rare Earth

 

Contact: Peter Mirijanian Public Affairs, 202-464-8803, or peter@pmpadc.com

November 9, 2011

 

For IMMEDIATE Release

RARE, The Association for Rare Earth Praises Formation
of Congressional Caucus to Shape Rare Earth Policy

 

(WASHINGTON) – RARE, The Association for Rare Earth today praised a decision by Congressman Mike Coffman to organize a Congressional Rare Earth Caucus to help guide federal policy on rare earth issues.

 

Adam Falkoff, President of RARE said, “We are very pleased that RARE’s call for the creation of a Congressional Rare Earth Caucus was answered so quickly.

 

The development comes at an important time as U.S. policymakers respond to increasing warnings about America’s dependence on China for the metals and alloys derived from 17 key elements. “Developing a political consensus about how to secure a sustainable supply of REEs will have significant impact on thousands of companies and millions of American jobs,” Falkoff said today.

In a letter to House and Senate members last month urging the creation of such a caucus, RARE’s leadership wrote that rare earth elements are “critical to the production of virtually every high-tech and clean energy product and are fundamental to the national security of the United States.”

 

Former Congressman Tom McMillen (D-MD), a member of RARE’s Board of Advisors, also praised the decision, saying that “creation of the caucus brings much-needed focus to important issues of national security, trade, resource development and renewable energy.”

 

“A caucus is a useful setting for members who have an interest in the issue to undertake work that is both cooperative and bipartisan,” McMillen added.

 

“The seriousness with which the Congress is approaching this issue will help define timely initiatives required to increase global production of these vital elements,” Falkoff said, adding, “RARE looks forward to working with Congress and the Administration to develop meaningful solutions.”

 

About RARE: The Association for Rare Earth.  RARE is a bipartisan organization that seeks to increase the production of rare earth elements; remove barriers to access of rare earth elements domestically and internationally; increase the affordability and trade of rare earth minerals; and increase the affordability and availability of technologically and environmentally advanced products made with rare earth minerals -- all for the betterment of people’s lives and the environment in which they live.