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Trump Administration Launches ‘Project Vault’

William Attardi on February 5, 2026

The Responsible Battery Coalition (RBC) welcomed the Trump Administration’s launch of “Project Vault,” a major new initiative established with the Export-Import Bank of the United States to create a strategic critical minerals stockpile designed to protect American manufacturers — including the U.S. battery industry — from global supply disruptions. Batteries are essential to nearly every aspect of American life and national security. Project Vault will provide a new mechanism to procure and store strategically important minerals used in batteries and other advanced technologies, such as lead, antimony, cobalt, graphite, silicon, copper, and nickel. Project Vault will help ensure manufacturers have reliable access to key inputs even during periods of volatility or geopolitical pressure. Trump Administration Launches ‘Project Vault’ – electrifiED

Company Unveils Head-Turning EV Battery That Can Fully Charge in Under 20 Seconds — Here’s How It Could Impact the Future of Cars by Craig Gerard

William Attardi on July 16, 2025

Consumers are increasingly choosing electric vehicles for their next cars. In fact, some optimistic estimates forecast that electric cars could make up 50% of all vehicle sales in the United States by 2030.  There are many factors contributing to this massive surge in popularity, but rapidly developing technology is certainly helping. One such mind-blowing innovation was just announced in the field of electric car  A United Kingdom-based company, RML Group, just unveiled its VarEVolt battery pack, according to Interesting Engineering. Incredibly, the battery pack touts the ability to be fully charged in just 18 seconds. In even better news, the quickly charging battery pack also allows the cars to drive long ranges at high speeds. And this is only the latest incredible technological breakthrough in the field of electric vehicles and batteries. 24M Technologies recently unveiled a car battery that can provide 1,000 miles on a single charge. And researchers at the National University of Singapore are developing a battery that lasts 10 years longer than current ones. These types of technological innovations help take away some of the fears of switching to electric cars. Quick-charging batteries with long ranges operate just as good as traditional gas guzzlers without the negative effects.  Company unveils head-turning EV battery that can fully charge in under 20 seconds — here’s how it could impact the future of cars

Energy Storage Industry Commits $100B to American-Made Grid Batteries

William Attardi on May 2, 2025

On April 29th, the American Clean Power Association (ACP), on behalf of the U.S. energy storage industry, announced a historic commitment to invest $100 billion into building and buying American-made grid batteries. This investment is expected to fuel the creation of 350,000 jobsacross the battery energy storage industry and transform the United States into a global battery manufacturing leader.  This announcement aligns with actions taken by the Trump Administration to unleash American energy and develop critical minerals in the United States. The industry’s investment will advance a manufacturing expansion in the United States with the aim of enabling American-made batteries to meet 100% of domestic energy storage project demand. Energy Storage Industry Commits $100B to American-Made Grid Batteries – electrifiED

Happy St. Patrick’s Day—whether you’re going fact or legend, it’s a great excuse to celebrate!

St. Patrick is a mix of solid historical fact and popular myth/legend that grew over centuries. He was a real historical figure—a British-born missionary (likely from what is now Scotland or northern England/Wales area) who lived in the 5th century (roughly 385–461 AD). His birth name was probably Maewyn Succat, and he became known as Patricius (Patrick) later. He wrote two surviving documents: his Confessio (Confession) and a letter to Coroticus, which are the main primary sources about his life. These confirm he was kidnapped by Irish raiders as a teenager, enslaved in Ireland for about six years (herding sheep), escaped, trained for the church, and returned as a missionary bishop to convert the Irish to Christianity. He wasn’t the first Christian in Ireland—some communities already existed—but he’s credited with major missionary work and is the patron saint of Ireland.

Many beloved St. Patrick’s Day traditions and stories are myths or later embellishments: Myth: He drove the snakes out of Ireland. Completely legendary. Ireland has had no native snakes since the last Ice Age (about 10,000+ years ago)—the post-glacial island was isolated, and snakes never recolonized it. The “snakes” story symbolizes driving out paganism or “evil”  but it’s not historical. Myth: He used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. This is a charming story, but it doesn’t show up in Patrick’s own writings or early biographies. While the shamrock (a three-leaf clover) became a symbol of Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day, the Trinity analogy is probably a later invention. Myth: St. Patrick was Irish by birth. No—he was Romano-British, captured and brought to Ireland against his will. Other common myths: Green wasn’t always the color associated with him or the holiday; massive parades and “wearing of the green” became big in America first; he didn’t drink green beer or eat corned beef and cabbage, those are more modern Irish-American traditions. In short: The man himself is fact—a brave, devout missionary who helped spread Christianity in Ireland. But many of the fun, magical tales attached to him are myths.

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