April 11, 2011

On March 22, 2011, the Department of Energy announced at TREM11 that a second round Request For Information (RFI) has been initiated to gather more information on Technology & Rare Earth Metals (TREM).

Last year, at TREM10, Assistant Energy Secretary David Sandalow announced that the Department of Energy would commence working on their Critical Materials Strategy, which was released in December 2010.

The Department of Energy press release is as follows:

March 22, 2011

DOE Announces Second RFI on Rare Earth Metals

Washington, D.C. - The Department of Energy today 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 (pdf - 105kb). Responses are due no later than 5:00pm (EDT) on May 24, 2011, and should be submitted electronically to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Media contact(s): (202) 586-4940