Can US Markets Compete Against Chinese Rare Earth Production? In-depth with Ashley Zumwalt-Forbes

One of the major changes we have seen globally in recent years along the clean energy supply chain is the willingness of governments in countries like China, the US, and the EU to jumpstart funding for projects through investment or production tax credits or grants and loans. The Trump Administration has thrown some of this into doubt with a reshuffling of priorities and threats to somehow cancel or rewrite legislation such as the Inflation Reduction Act.

My guest today provides a clear-headed view on the need for funding and how to navigate the increasingly rocky seas as the race for green energy dominance accelerates. Ashley Zumwalt-Forbes has a varied and deep history in both the public and private sectors and most recently worked in the Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains Office (MESC) in the Department of Energy where she served as the Deputy Director for Batteries and Critical Materials. While there, she oversaw the deployment of ~$6B in non-dilutive equity and ~$10B in tax credits into the US battery supply chain during the Biden Administration. She is currently Principal at Smoketree Advisors.

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