This'll Fire Up Bachmann

NYT, via nc links:

By closing or nationalizing dozens of the producers of rare earth metals — which are used in energy-efficient bulbs and many other green-energy products — China is temporarily shutting down most of the industry and crimping the global supply of the vital resources.
China produces nearly 95 percent of the world’s rare earth materials, and it is taking the steps to improve pollution controls in a notoriously toxic mining and processing industry. But the moves also have potential international trade implications and have started yet another round of price increases for rare earths, which are vital for green-energy products including giant wind turbines, hybrid gasoline-electric cars and compact fluorescent bulbs.
General Electric, facing complaints in the United States about rising prices for its compact fluorescent bulbs, recently noted in a statement that if the rate of inflation over the last 12 months on the rare earth element europium oxide had been applied to a $2 cup of coffee, that coffee would now cost $24.55.

I think the hubbub about getting rid of 100 watt incandescent light bulbs is way overblown, but this'll add fuel to the fire over on the crazy people side.  I've got at least a dozen free CFL bulbs from the electric co-op, and I've only replaced one or two in the last four years, so I should be able to weather a temporary price increase.