Energy & Environment: Markey Wants Answers on Rare Earths
• Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., "is pressing the Obama administration for information about alleged Chinese restrictions on the export of rare earth minerals used in defense and energy technologies, warning of threats to U.S. interests," The Hill reports.
• "Three months after BP capped its runaway well in the Gulf of Mexico, the state of Louisiana is still building a chain of sand berms off its coast to block and capture oil even as federal officials and many scientists argue that the effort will prove pointless," the New York Times reports.
• An Idaho couple has "sued the state to stop the shipments by Imperial Oil and ConocoPhillips" to an oil sands site in Canada, "arguing that the" truck loads delivered there "would threaten the integrity of Idaho's historic portion of U.S. 12, as well as the safety of communities that depend on it as the main road in and out of the area," the Times also reports. "National environmental groups and climate change activists are supporting their efforts, seeing a broader opportunity to stall development of Canada's oil sands, which they denounce as a dirty source of energy. "
• "Combating climate change has long taken a back seat to coal production in West Virginia, but in the hard-fought House race in this state's 1st district, global warming hasn't even made it onto the bus," The Hill reports. "In interviews on Thursday, both the Democratic and Republican nominees for Congress voiced skepticism of the science behind global warming, and the Republican, David McKinley, flatly called concerns about climate change 'an attack on coal.'"
Contributor
Donna Harman
Biography provided by participant
Donna Harman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), is recognized by industry leaders and policymakers alike as a leading expert on public policy concerning the forest products industry.
As the industry's voice on public policy at all levels of government, Harman works with AF&PA's 165 members to advance policies that promote a strong and sustainable U.S. forest products industry in the global marketplace.
Harman has spearheaded a robust industry effort to engage Members of Congress and U.S. agency officials to help them make informed decisions on laws and regulations important to the industry's competitiveness, including: bioenergy mandates, climate change, increasing energy supply, tax policies, green procurement for wood and paper products, and recycling. In addition, Harman carries the industry messages to international arenas.
Born in Elkhart, Kansas, Harman earned a bachelor's degree in public affairs from Anderson University and a law degree from American University. She is a member of the District of Columbia Bar Association, the American Society of Association Executives, and the Society of American Foresters. She serves on the Board of Directors for the American Council for Capital Formation, the National Association of Manufacturers' Council of Manufacturing Associations, and is Secretary-Treasurer of the Forest Products Industry National Labor Management Committee. She also serves on the Corporate Advisory Council to the International Congressional Conservation Foundation.
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