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By: Rex M. Lee, Privacy Advisor and Tech Journalist for My Smart Privacy
I attended a CERAWeek S&P Press Conference in Houston, TX, on 03.18.2024 and was honored to be able to ask an important question regarding the Thacker Pass, NV, lithium mining initiative associated with the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) green energy investment fund paid for by U.S. taxpayers.
Lithium Americas (Canada), fast-tracked by the Trump administration, is enabled to mine rare earth elements, such as lithium, in America rather than awarding the bid to an American mining company.
Regarding national security, it is concerning that the U.S. govt. is enabling foreign companies to mine rare earth elements/minerals associated with U.S. energy independents within America.
According to Reuters (11.03.22), Lithium Americas is associated with Chinese-based Ganfeng Lithium Co LTD (shareholder).
Furthermore, this means that a Chinese company stands to profit from rare earth element mining in the U.S. from a company, Lithium Americas, that could qualify for investment money from the IRA for green energy initiatives.
U.S. taxpayer money will aid a foreign company, Lithium Americas while benefiting Chinese-based Ganfeng Lithium. Additionally, both companies will make profits from the sale of U.S. lithium paid for by U.S. taxpayers by way of IRA legislation from 2022.
During the press conference, I asked both senators what their thoughts were on this important discovery. However, the senators were unaware of Lithium Americas, and additionally, their largest shareholder is Ganfeng Lithium Co.
Senators Manchin and Sullivan both replied to the question I posed that they would check into it, meaning that if this is true, Lithium Americas would not qualify for IRA credits, according to Senator Manchin.
Yet again, this will mean that migrating to green energy benefits China while migrating U.S. energy dependence to China, even regarding mining rare earth elements, such as lithium, within the U.S. That being said, it would be tantamount to enabling Chinese companies to drill for oil and gas within the United States if that is not already happening without public knowledge.
Additionally, there have been protests by Native American groups, Reno-Sparks Indian Colony and Summit Lake Paiute Tribe, who are protesting the fact that lithium mining will be taking place where a massacre, "Peehee Mu'huh (Rotten Moon)", occurred.
“All the people here on the reservation were not consulted when this mine was approved,” said Dorece Sam, a direct descendant of Ox Sam, one of three survivors of the Thacker Pass massacre (The Guardian, 10.13.23).
Interestingly enough the mainstream media has not reported on the fact that foreign companies, with Chinese investors, are enabled to mine for rare earth elements/minerals within the U.S. using taxpayer money, nor reported on the Native American protests.
For more information on the CERAWeek S&P Press Conference in Houston, TX, feel free to reach out to Rex M. Lee at rlee@mysmartprivacy.com
About the Author: Rex M. Lee is a Privacy and Cybersecurity Advisor, Tech Journalist, and Senior Tech/Telecom Industry Analyst for BlackOps Partners, Washington, DC. Find more information at CyberTalkTV.com.
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