U.S. Politics

[Rick Plant]

Gasoline prices since Biden tweeted that the prices should be lower.

[Rick Plant]

In new Fox News polling Dems have gained 3 points, lead 44-41 and in their modeling that is enough for Democrats to keep the House. 

[Rick Plant]

Catherine Cortez Masto @CortezMasto

Adam Laxalt isn't just wrong for Nevada, he's dangerous.

I will always stand up for Nevadans' essential rights, including abortion access. @AdamLaxalt can't say the same.

Laxalt’s column on abortion inaccurate, inflammatory
https://www.rgj.com/story/opinion/voices/2022/08/15/laxalts-column-inaccurate-inflammatory/10333156002/

https://twitter.com/CortezMasto/status/1571906971028127744

[Rick Plant]

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $156 Million for America's First-of-a-Kind Critical Minerals Refinery

Funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, New Project Will Demonstrate the Commercial Viability of Turning Mine Waste into Clean Energy Technology, Boosting Domestic Manufacturing and Securing Domestic Supply Chain

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced up to $156 million in funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for a first-of-a-kind facility to extract and separate rare earth elements (REE) and critical minerals (CM) from unconventional sources like mining waste. Rare earth elements and other critical minerals are key to manufacturing clean energy technologies right here in America—such as solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles, and hydrogen fuel cells—that will help the nation reach the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

“President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides America with a historic opportunity to turn legacy waste into the components of clean energy technology in a way that bolsters domestic supply chains and enhances our national security,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “The demand for clean energy technology continues to grow at a rapid pace and an American-made critical minerals refinery will help generate jobs and increase our competitiveness on the global stage.”

The United States currently imports more than 80% of its rare earth elements from offshore suppliers to produce clean energy technologies and other indispensable products that we rely on every day such as smart phones, computers, and medical equipment. Across the country, there are billions of tons of coal waste and ash, acid mine drainage, and discharged water. However, these waste streams from mining, energy production, and related activities, contain a wide variety of valuable rare earth elements and other critical minerals that can be repurposed into clean energy technologies, while helping to create healthier environments for communities across the country.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) seeks applications from U.S. academic institutions for a front-end engineering design study followed by the design, construction, and operation of a first-of-a-kind domestic demonstration facility that will extract, separate, produce, and refine rare earth elements and other critical minerals from the nation’s vast quantities of waste streams from mining and energy production.

Throughout the life of the project, the selected applicant must engage in community outreach and consultations with historically disadvantaged communities, prioritize environmental justice when identifying project site locations, and maximize local workforce development opportunities for the operation of the demonstration facility. Applicants are encouraged to review DOE’s commitment to the Justice40 Initiative, which states that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments will flow to disadvantaged communities, and that projects will have minimal negative impacts on communities with environmental justice concerns.

All applicants must register and submit application materials through FedConnect. The application deadline is November 21, 2022 at 8:00 p.m. ET. All questions about this FOA must be submitted through Fedconnect; register here for an account. Read the full FOA for more information. 

This opportunity is managed by DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains and Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, working together to strengthen and secure a domestic supply chain for rare earth elements and critical minerals.

https://www.energy.gov/articles/biden-harris-administration-announces-156-million-americas-first-kind-critical-minerals

[Rick Plant]

McConnell’s PAC yanks $9.6 million in TV ads from Arizona Senate race: report

GOP Senate Leader Mitch McConnell's leadership PAC is canceling ads it has reserved in Arizona where Republican venture capitalist Blake Masters is challenging incumbent and former astronaut Mark Kelly.

Axios reported Tuesday the McConnell-aligned Senate Leadership Fund is canceled $9.6 million in Arizona.

"The cancellations mean that the GOP's leading super PAC won't be spending any money in Arizona, one of the most closely watched Senate races in the country. Its allied non-profit arm spent several millions in the state on issue ads over the summer," Axios reported.

McConnell and the National Republican Senatorial Committee reportedly tried to recruit term-limited GOP Gov. Doug Ducey, but Trump labeled him a RINO and said, "he will never have my endorsement or the support of MAGA Nation!"

McConnell also failed at recruiting Govs. Chris Sununu (R-NH) and Larry Hogan (R-MD).

"Despite Arizona's battleground status, many Republican officials have been wary about Masters' prospects against Sen. Mark Kelly," Axios reported. "Masters is trailing Kelly in public polling, and Republican internal surveys have his unfavorability ratings unusually high for a first-time candidate. Most of the outside funding for Masters' campaign will now be coming from ideologically aligned groups, not those directly invested in a Republican Senate majority."

AFP

[Rick Plant]

President Biden @POTUS

There's too much dark money flowing in the shadows of our politics.

The DISCLOSE Act ensures groups that run issue ads to influence elections will have to disclose contributions above $10,000.

And foreign entities would be banned from making any contributions for these ads.

Democrats in Congress want more openness and accountability in politics.
 
Republicans in Congress – so far – don’t.
 
This week, the DISCLOSE Act gets a vote. I hope Republicans join us in supporting a system that’s less secretive and more transparent.

https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1572321149190606856


President Biden delivers remarks on the DISCLOSE Act.

Watch: https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1dRJZMByXYbGB

[Rick Plant]

Whitmer up by 11 in new poll conducted by EPIC/MRA; both Benson, Nessel up by 8
https://thelivingstonpost.com/whitmer-up-by-11-in-new-poll-conducted-by-epic-mra-both-benson-nessel-up-by-8/