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The rare earths market is experiencing a period of significant volatility, driven primarily by China's recent export restrictions.  These restrictions, which came into effect on October 1, 2024, have already led to an 8.33% increase in the prices of many critical resources.  China's Dominance and the Impact of Export Restrictions China is the world's leading producer of rare earth elements, a group of 17 metals crucial for various technologies, including electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, consumer electronics, and defense applications. …
The prospect of an all-out war in the Middle East increased after Iran launched a massive missile attack on Israel on October 1. Israel has threatened retaliation, fueling concerns of a disruption to the flow of oil and gas from the energy-rich region.Global oil prices have already soared 9 percent since Iran's attack, which came amid Israel's yearlong war in the Gaza Strip and its invasion of southern Lebanon earlier this month.A full-scale conflict between Israel and Iran could upend the international energy supply and send shock waves throughout…
The long-term role of natural gas in the global clean energy transition is a subject of significant debate on the world stage as evidence mounts that LNG might be much, much worse for the climate than previously thought. While these recent findings have spurred significant steps toward reevaluation of LNG’s role in any ‘clean’ energy landscape, there is also significant pushback against prematurely curbing the production and export of the fossil fuel, as it could play a critical role in maintaining energy security during this…
Texas has seen soaring electricity demand in recent years, driven by population growth, extreme weather, data centers and AI, and cryptocurrency mining. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the operator of the electrical grid that represents 90 percent of the state's electric load, has issued reliability and conservation warnings at times of peak winter and summer demand as consumption soars to record-highs. There have been issues with grid reliability even without the most recent boom in generative AI and data centers using up as…
Authored by Mike Shedlock via MishTalk.com, Unlike US auto manufacturers, Germany’s counterparts did not want tariffs on China’s EV. Germany lost the vote in the European Council... EU Votes for Tariffs on Chinese EVs This story may seem counteractive but Germany does not want the EU to place tariffs on Chinese EVs. This is because Germany is still dependent on its internal combustion engines for exports and China will undoubtedly retaliate. TheDriven reports EU Votes for China EV Tariffs Despite Protests from Germany and Others. Euronews…