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Leveraging the Defense Production Act to Stockpile Minerals 12/19/2024

Leveraging the Defense Production Act to Stockpile Minerals

Payne Institute Communications Associate Gregory Wischer, Director Morgan Bazilian, and Fellow Jahara Matisek write about how on December 3, 2024, China imposed export bans on antimony, gallium, and germanium—three elements with important defense applications. Since the U.S. relies heavily on China for these minerals, China’s new export ban could delay the manufacture of defense platforms and munitions, exacerbating already depleted defense stocks and further undermining America’s warfighting capabilities.   December 19, 2024.

The American industry that wants more government intervention 12/18/2024

The American industry that wants more government intervention

Payne Institute Faculty Fellow Elizabeth Holley contributed to this article about how President-elect Donald Trump is promising to slash government regulations and even eliminate whole agencies. But one American industry, mining, is asking for more government intervention, saying national economic and military security are at stake.  December 18, 2024.

Colorado’s leadership on reducing methane more important than ever 12/18/2024

Colorado’s leadership on reducing methane more important than ever

Erin Tullos, Stephen Curry, and Payne Institute Accelerated Methane Program Manager Simon Lomax write about how in the wake of the 2024 election, federal officials are expected to reassess the nation’s approach to energy, environmental and climate policy.  Colorado’s expertise in regulating methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, will continue to play a critical role on the national and global stage. In fact, Colorado’s continued leadership on methane may be more important now than ever before.  December 18, 2024.

The U.S. Must Fortify Itself Against Future Mineral Export Bans 12/16/2024

The U.S. Must Fortify Itself Against Future Mineral Export Bans

Payne Institute Communications Associate Gregory Wischer, Director Morgan Bazilian, and Fellow Lt. Col. Jahara “Franky” Matisek write about how last week, China imposed export bans on antimony, gallium, and germanium—all of which are listed on China’s dual-use export control list. Other minerals on the list and, thus, at risk of future bans include aluminum, magnesium, and zinc, among others.  With many minerals, the U.S. government can increase domestic mining, processing, and recycling to help mitigate future supply cutoffs from China. Of course, building and expanding domestic capacity will take time, significant capital, and appropriate government policies, but it can be done.  December 16, 2024.

Can we please have a nuanced discussion of development and fossil fuels? 12/13/24

Can we please have a nuanced discussion of development and fossil fuels?

Payne Institute Fellow Todd Moss writes about how he was quoted in a New York Times piece that presents a pernicious strain of black-or-white thinking about climate and poverty. It’s pernicious both because it’s widespread and because it’s false: The real debate on climate and poverty is not 100% renewables now vs climate deniers. And while posing these two extremes as the only choices for global development might make good clickbait, it’s terrible for civil discussion or constructive policymaking. If we’re going to make faster progress on clean energy development, we need to call this false binary out. December 13, 2024.

Critical Minerals Analytical Tools Launched by Payne Institute for Public Policy at Colorado School of Mines 12/9/2024

Critical Minerals Analytical Tools Launched by Payne Institute for Public Policy at Colorado School of Mines

The Payne Institute for Public Policy created a series of user-friendly critical minerals analytical tools.  The tools, being developed in cooperation with the Mineral and Energy Economics program at Mines, offer detailed information about the availability, cost, and demand for minerals integral to global efforts to transition to low carbon energy and transport systems.  December 9, 2024.

Five Bipartisan Actions on Energy Security as Trump Returns to the White House 12/4/2024

Five Bipartisan Actions on Energy Security as Trump Returns to the White House

Payne Institute Director Morgan Bazilian, Accelerated Methane Program Manager Simon Lomax, and Roger Pielke, Jr. write about how Republicans and Democrats can meet in the middle on the complex set of issues that comprise energy policy – from emissions, to affordability, to reliability, to national security and geopolitics. In fact, for almost two decades, the U.S. has been a global energy leader, even as power has shifted back and forth between the two major political parties. December 4, 2024.

Underground voids from abandoned mines pose danger to people and property when land collapses 12/3/2024

Underground voids from abandoned mines pose danger to people and property when land collapses

Payne Institute Faculty Fellow Paul Santi contributes to this article about how swaths of Pennsylvania and many other states are honeycombed with old, unstable mines that can cause the earth to suddenly give way and threaten people and property.  That’s what searchers in Westmoreland County, just southeast of Pittsburgh, fear led to the disappearance of 64-year-old Elizabeth Pollard. Pollard and a young granddaughter were looking for a lost cat when she went missing Monday evening. December 3, 2024.

Mines researchers prioritize responsibility with carbon capture and storage 12/3/2024

Mines researchers prioritize responsibility with carbon capture and storage

Payne Institute Faculty Fellow Jessica Smith is part of a team of Mines researchers are working in partnership with local stakeholders to curb these emissions in southern Colorado—and provide a model for similar efforts across the nation as states aim to meet greenhouse gas reduction goals and work toward a net-zero carbon future.  December 3, 2024.

Small and Medium Infrastructure Development Projects – Policy Implications

Small and Medium Infrastructure Development Projects – Policy Implications

Payne Institute Senior Fellow Jamal Saghir writes about how the many years of observations in developing countries make it very clear that no country can achieve sustained increases in GDP without spending on infrastructure, whether for energy services, water treatment plants, roads, railways, ports and airports, telecommunications, digital transformation, urban services, rural facilities, or environmental protection. November 26, 2024.

Trump energy pick wrote ESG report hailing oil, gas, downplaying climate worry 11/22/2024

Trump energy pick wrote ESG report hailing oil, gas, downplaying climate worry

Payne Institute Director Morgan Bazilian contributed to this article about how mainstream science conflicts with many opinions of the incoming top U.S. energy official, who will likely be zealous to carry out Trump’s agenda, maximizing already record-high domestic oil and gas production and withdrawing from international cooperation to avoid catastrophic climate change.  November 22, 2024.

Mines researchers looking for answers to climate challenges below the surface 11/21/2024

Mines researchers looking for answers to climate challenges below the surface

Payne Institute Faculty Fellows Ryan Venturelli, Matthew Siegfried and Brandon Dugan are featured in this article about how cross-collaboration is key to addressing climate science challenges.  The researchers are on the leading edge of advancing our understanding of and response to critical environmental issues.  November 21, 2024.

Lights Dim at Giant Russian LNG Construction Facility as Energy Sanctions Bite 11/21/2024

Lights Dim at Giant Russian LNG Construction Facility as Energy Sanctions Bite

Payne Institute Earth Observation Group Mikhail Zhizhin contributes to this article about how activity appears to have slumped at Russia’s only construction yard for liquefied natural gas modules, another sign of how Western sanctions are thwarting the country’s ambition to become a top player in this key energy market.  November 21, 2024.

Jihye Kim wins Scialog Award for funding of research in sustainable energy systems 11/20/2024

Jihye Kim wins Scialog Award for funding of research in sustainable energy systems

Payne Institute Faculty Fellow Jihye Kim, assistant professor of metallurgical and materials engineering, won the award as part of a multi-university team working on electrodeposition of nickel, cobalt.  Kim is part of a project titled “AI/ML-assisted Separation and Programmable Electrodeposition of Ni and Co.”  November 20, 2024.

Kickstarting VCM crediting for orphan oil wells 11/20/2024

Kickstarting VCM crediting for orphan oil wells

Payne Institute Sustainable Finance Lab Program Manager Brad Handler and Student Researcher Anne Welch write about how voluntary carbon market (VCM) credit issuances are getting underway for plugging orphan oil wells. Having the credits in hand will now let developers educate and get feedback from buyers and others in the ecosystem—a critical step in establishing the activity as a credible and attractive source of carbon offsets.  November 20, 2024.  

Five Bipartisan Actions to Protect America’s Mineral Supply Chains 11/18/2024

Five Bipartisan Actions to Protect America’s Mineral Supply Chains

Payne Institute Communications Associate Gregory Wischer and Director Morgan Bazilian write about how the U.S. Congress needs to make sure critical resources are protected.  Five bipartisan actions that Congress could take are increasing mineral stockpiling, streamlining the permitting process, increasing funding for mineral projects and education, enhancing mineral supply chain transparency in government procurement, and reviving the U.S. Bureau of Mines.   November 18, 2024.

Mines faculty examine the integration of mining, refining for domestic critical mineral production 11/18/2024

Mines faculty examine the integration of mining, refining for domestic critical mineral production

Payne Institute Faculty Fellows Nicole Smith, Elizabeth Holley, Jihye Kim, and Payne Institute Researcher Aaron Malone are featured in this article about how mining research will focus on both the environmental and community impacts of vertically integrated mining operations.  If the U.S. wants to stay competitive in the clean energy market, behind China, domestic production is crucial, which means the country needs more mines. November 18, 2024. 

Policy, Regulatory, and Market Viability (Part 2)

DEMYSTIFYING HYDROGEN – Policy, Regulatory, and Market Viability (PART 2)

Payne Institute CCUS Program Manager Anna Littlefield and Student Researcher Siddhant Kulkarni write about how hydrogen is emerging as a cornerstone of global energy policy, with nations across the world setting ambitious goals to integrate hydrogen into their clean energy strategies.  In Part One of this two-part commentary, they explored the production pathways and associated ‘color wheel’ of hydrogen, in addition to applications and methods for transporting and storing hydrogen. Building on that foundation, here we explore the policy incentives, regulatory frameworks, and the viability of hydrogen markets.  November 13, 2024.