Noel Fletcher is a policy reporter in Washington, D.C. covering renewable energy and wildlife. She has an extensive news background reporting on governments and businesses at state, national and international levels. She launched her news career in California and moved to Hong Kong. From there she first covered the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal before becoming a foreign correspondent reporting on China, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand (national economies, industry, trade, transportation and energy) for U.S. and foreign newspapers, wire services and magazines. The Journal of Commerce, then on Wall Street, promoted her to China correspondent in Beijing where she learned Mandarin. Later in Europe, she filled in as Berlin bureau chief for The Times (London).
Currently, she covers federal and state governments on energy, transportation, commerce, trade and environmental issues. Her interests include government policy on the environment, renewable energy, wildlife and climate change.
Government Seeks Private Backers To Deploy AI To Protect Electric Grid
Government researchers are seeking to commercialize a unique use of AI to detect cyber attacks and physical problems with the electrical grid.
U.S. Names Samarium As Most Vulnerable Critical Mineral
A rare earth metal called samarium that is used in defense and cancer treatments has been named by the U.S. as the weakest link in the critical mineral supply chain.
DOE Releases Fusion Energy Roadmap For Commercialization
To hasten the commercialization of fusion energy, the U.S. Department of Energy has released a roadmap that includes calls for critical infrastructure and using AI.
U.S. Government Aims To Add 6 Critical Minerals To New List
To strengthen the national supply chain, the U.S. government has revamped a proposed critical mineral list with six new ones that have implications for key industries.
U.S. Steps Up Pace To Commercialize Domestic Nuclear Fuel Supply
The U.S. continues to fast-track the private sector’s role in commercializing nuclear fuel after recently selecting four companies to pilot a domestic fuel supply chain.
Seaweed May Be Answer To Critical Minerals Quest For U.S. Supply Chain
The need to create domestic critical mineral supplies is spurring U.S.-backed research in biomining seaweed since it accumulates these valuable substances.
U.S. Offering Leasing Deals On Federal Lands For New Coal Mines
Federal land reserves of coal are being leased for mining in Alabama, Montana, Utah, Wyoming and North Dakota in new deals accelerating under the Trump administration.
DOE Asks Industry For Ideas About Feeding Power Hungry Data Centers
The U.S. Department of Energy aims to fast-track how to feed AI with energy by asking companies to share project information for potential near-term federal grants.
U.S. Gives 13 States $3 Million To ID Critical Minerals In Mine Waste
The U.S. government is seeking to retrieve critical minerals from mine waste by awarding 13 states nearly $3 million to identify their holdings and create inventories.
U.S. Offers 3 Tech Transfers To Take Critical Minerals From Coal Waste
The U.S. DOE is seeking companies to commercialize three federally developed technologies to remove critical minerals and rare earth elements from coal waste.