Morgan D. Bazilian

Colorado, United States

Energy security, satellite data, thermodynamics, energy poverty, critical minerals, & national security. Formerly, @WorldBank, @UN, Ireland, & @NREL. My views.

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Articles

Opinion: The mining executive order needs creative financial support to achieve its goals

2 months ago | mining.com | Jackson Chen |Brad Handler |Morgan D. Bazilian

The Trump Administration’s recently released executive order (EO) “Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production” directs federal agencies to take steps to speed up and support new mining and processing development projects. Although these are largely focused on asserting the executive branch’s authority to streamline permitting and to use Federal lands for mining, the EO also sets the basis for the use of public funding to support projects.
A “Sputnik Moment” in Deep Sea Mining

2 months ago | realcleardefense.com | Alex Gilbert |Seaver T. Wang |Morgan D. Bazilian

A “Sputnik Moment” in Deep Sea Mining China’s deep-sea mining deal with the Cook Islands raises the stakes in critical mineral competition, with the United States at risk of falling behind. Read Full Article »
The US can reduce Russia's nuclear energy-and geopolitical-influence

Mar 7, 2025 | atlanticcouncil.org | Olga Khakova |Haley Nelson |Simon Lomax |Morgan D. Bazilian

As the second Donald Trump administration settles in, at least one energy priority will remain consistent: bipartisan efforts to position the US nuclear energy industry for a greater share in the global marketplace. In early February, Secretary Chris Wright emphasized Trump’s priority for the United States: to “lead the commercialization of affordable and abundant nuclear energy” amid surging global energy demand.
Ukraine’s Minerals Won’t Solve U.S. Supply Chain Problems

Mar 3, 2025 | foreignpolicy.com | Joshua Busby |Emily Holland |Morgan D. Bazilian

Economics United States Russia Ukraine The United States and Ukraine reportedly came close in recent days to signing a landmark minerals agreement that the Kyiv Independent reports would have obligated Ukraine to pay 50 percent of the proceeds from the “future monetization of all relevant Ukrainian Government-owned natural resource assets” (including minerals, oil, and gas) to a fund that the two countries would co-own, using the proceeds to ostensibly reinvest in Ukraine. The draft statement...
Ukraine’s Minerals Won’t Solve U.S. Supply Chain Problems

Mar 3, 2025 | foreignpolicy.com | Joshua Busby |Emily Holland |Morgan D. Bazilian

Economics United States Russia Ukraine The United States and Ukraine reportedly came close in recent days to signing a landmark minerals agreement that the Kyiv Independent reports would have obligated Ukraine to pay 50 percent of the proceeds from the “future monetization of all relevant Ukrainian Government-owned natural resource assets” (including minerals, oil, and gas) to a fund that the two countries would co-own, using the proceeds to ostensibly reinvest in Ukraine. The draft statement...
US energy dominance is Putin’s worst nightmare as Russia enters its fourth year of war crimes

Feb 24, 2025 | atlanticcouncil.org | Simon Lomax |Morgan D. Bazilian |Greg Clough |Haley Nelson

Three years of Russia’s senseless aggression in Ukraine have caused monumental, unnecessary human suffering but also an irreversible impact on Russia’s energy sector. The war has diminished giants like Gazprom—once a massive revenue crutch for Moscow—into historic economic losers. Now, Vladimir Putin’s narrow path to regaining European gas market share is through liquefied natural gas (LNG)—a modern Trojan Horse of energy influence.
Restarting US LNG Permitting Brings Geopolitical Benefits and the Potential for Climate Progress

Feb 10, 2025 | justsecurity.org | Simon Lomax |Greg Clough |Morgan D. Bazilian

One of the first actions of the new Trump administration was a year-long moratorium on permitting new export terminals for U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG). The so-called “pause” on LNG approvals, imposed in the final year of the Biden administration, was hailed by anti-fossil fuel groups and condemned by U.S. energy producers. Before the pause, the United States had risen to become the world’s largest LNG exporter at an astonishing pace.
Leveraging the Defense Production Act to Stockpile Minerals

Jan 10, 2025 | news-journal.com | Gregory Wischer |Morgan D. Bazilian |Jahara Matisek

On December 3, 2024, China imposed export bans on antimony, gallium, and germanium—three elements with important defense applications. Antimony is used in over 200 munitions of the Department of Defense, ranging from 5.56 mm ammunition to 155 mm artillery rounds. Gallium is used in cutting-edge radar systems like the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense System. And germanium is used in infrared lenses for night vision and thermal imaging in naval vessels, combat vehicles, and aircraft.
Leveraging the Defense Production Act to Stockpile Minerals

Jan 10, 2025 | theohiopressnetwork.com | Gregory Wischer |Morgan D. Bazilian |Jahara Matisek

On December 3, 2024, China imposed export bans on antimony, gallium, and germanium—three elements with important defense applications. Antimony is used in over 200 munitions of the Department of Defense, ranging from 5.56 mm ammunition to 155 mm artillery rounds. Gallium is used in cutting-edge radar systems like the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense System. And germanium is used in infrared lenses for night vision and thermal imaging in naval vessels, combat vehicles, and aircraft.
The U.S. Must Fortify Itself Against Future Mineral Export Bans

Dec 16, 2024 | realcleardefense.com | Gregory Wischer |Morgan D. Bazilian |Jahara Matisek

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. Beyond their economic importance, many of these minerals have military applications. For example, tungsten superalloys are used in military turbines and armor-piercing munitions, while bismuth is used in ammunition and alloys for defense.