Nathaniel William Horadam
@horadam.bsky.social
Mostly energy, supply chains, and transportation. Toto and Art Deco enthusiast. Still a MENA student at heart.
Onward, Rocinante!
Onward, Rocinante!
Pinned
Introduction
Welcome to Tailings
tailings.substack.com
I’m pleased to share a new project I’ve been cooking up these past couple of months.
Welcome to "Tailings: Lessons from the frontlines of America’s quest for critical minerals security".
🔌💡🔌🚗
tailings.substack.com/p/introduction
Welcome to "Tailings: Lessons from the frontlines of America’s quest for critical minerals security".
🔌💡🔌🚗
tailings.substack.com/p/introduction
Reposted by Nathaniel William Horadam
The U.S. is taking a multipronged approach to curbing its dependence on China for critical minerals, but it could take years to see results.
trib.al/Td6pRKa
trib.al/Td6pRKa
February 18, 2026 at 3:01 AM
The U.S. is taking a multipronged approach to curbing its dependence on China for critical minerals, but it could take years to see results.
trib.al/Td6pRKa
trib.al/Td6pRKa
I spoke with Nikkei about some of the challenges the Trump Administration is likely to face as it aggressively grows its portfolio of critical minerals deals.
Most of these won’t pan out. The ones that do may not bear results for years.
🔌💡
asia.nikkei.com/business/tec...
Most of these won’t pan out. The ones that do may not bear results for years.
🔌💡
asia.nikkei.com/business/tec...
US faces 'decadelong' road to loosening China's grip on rare earths
Washington deploys billions and builds Asian partnerships, but refining remains key hurdle
asia.nikkei.com
February 18, 2026 at 1:55 AM
I spoke with Nikkei about some of the challenges the Trump Administration is likely to face as it aggressively grows its portfolio of critical minerals deals.
Most of these won’t pan out. The ones that do may not bear results for years.
🔌💡
asia.nikkei.com/business/tec...
Most of these won’t pan out. The ones that do may not bear results for years.
🔌💡
asia.nikkei.com/business/tec...
As expected, Japan’s “contribution” is all investment-grade deals that any other financier would have gladly underwritten.
“...signaling the Japanese are seeking initiatives with safe returns, rather than less-certain investments."
Kayfabe.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
“...signaling the Japanese are seeking initiatives with safe returns, rather than less-certain investments."
Kayfabe.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Trump Announces First Japan Investments Under Trade Deal
Japan plans to invest $36 billion in US oil, gas and critical mineral projects, the first tranche of its $550 billion commitment under the trade agreement it struck with President Donald Trump.
www.bloomberg.com
February 18, 2026 at 1:42 AM
As expected, Japan’s “contribution” is all investment-grade deals that any other financier would have gladly underwritten.
“...signaling the Japanese are seeking initiatives with safe returns, rather than less-certain investments."
Kayfabe.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
“...signaling the Japanese are seeking initiatives with safe returns, rather than less-certain investments."
Kayfabe.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Whoa.
Dems look increasingly certain to take over the Georgia PSC this November. It’ll be an earthquake for our state’s energy policy.
Dems look increasingly certain to take over the Georgia PSC this November. It’ll be an earthquake for our state’s energy policy.
ICYMI -- veteran GOP utiltiy regulator Tricia Pridemore says she will not run again for the PSC, creating an open seat for this year's election.
My story with Drew Kann in the @ajc.com
www.ajc.com/news/2026/02...
My story with Drew Kann in the @ajc.com
www.ajc.com/news/2026/02...
Republican won’t seek reelection to Georgia Public Service Commission
Tricia Pridemore said her decision not to seek reelection came after “deep reflection” and “thoughtful conversations with my family, colleagues and trusted advisors.”
www.ajc.com
February 17, 2026 at 6:22 PM
Whoa.
Dems look increasingly certain to take over the Georgia PSC this November. It’ll be an earthquake for our state’s energy policy.
Dems look increasingly certain to take over the Georgia PSC this November. It’ll be an earthquake for our state’s energy policy.
As one executive told me, these tariffs have been a boon to operators w/ bad assets. And very bad for those wanting to build new ones.
Existing facilities get to reap better margins. Those with new projects in the works now face much higher construction costs.
🔌💡
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Existing facilities get to reap better margins. Those with new projects in the works now face much higher construction costs.
🔌💡
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
US Open to Changing Steel and Aluminum Tariffs, Greer Says
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer signaled that the Trump administration is open to changing its broad tariffs on steel and aluminum amid pressure from business groups and trading partners.
www.bloomberg.com
February 17, 2026 at 2:25 PM
As one executive told me, these tariffs have been a boon to operators w/ bad assets. And very bad for those wanting to build new ones.
Existing facilities get to reap better margins. Those with new projects in the works now face much higher construction costs.
🔌💡
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Existing facilities get to reap better margins. Those with new projects in the works now face much higher construction costs.
🔌💡
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Advertise your account with a gif
February 17, 2026 at 4:03 AM
Advertise your account with a gif
Been thinking a lot about the federal bureaucracy these past couple days, and I think the next Dem administration is going to face a lot of problems nobody is currently discussing…even as everyone is putting together “Project 2029” plans on how to run it all back.
February 16, 2026 at 4:53 PM
Been thinking a lot about the federal bureaucracy these past couple days, and I think the next Dem administration is going to face a lot of problems nobody is currently discussing…even as everyone is putting together “Project 2029” plans on how to run it all back.
I refuse to use AI for my writing for this reason.
It’s not just about the content you produce, it’s keeping your communication skills honed…or even improving them through practice. People relying AI to generate LinkedIn or other professional content will themselves increasingly commoditized.
It’s not just about the content you produce, it’s keeping your communication skills honed…or even improving them through practice. People relying AI to generate LinkedIn or other professional content will themselves increasingly commoditized.
Writing is thinking.
It's not some marginal boring task you can skip. It's the heart of it.
It's not some marginal boring task you can skip. It's the heart of it.
It’s easy to think writing is mainly the transcription of ideas you already have—that is, until you try to write something worthwhile, and you find what you thought were saying transform into something far more interesting in the process. This skips that last step, and that is *not* an improvement.
February 16, 2026 at 3:02 PM
I refuse to use AI for my writing for this reason.
It’s not just about the content you produce, it’s keeping your communication skills honed…or even improving them through practice. People relying AI to generate LinkedIn or other professional content will themselves increasingly commoditized.
It’s not just about the content you produce, it’s keeping your communication skills honed…or even improving them through practice. People relying AI to generate LinkedIn or other professional content will themselves increasingly commoditized.
The way they’re going about all of this, we’ll need to treat the AI tools they do sanction as viruses that need to be eradicated from government systems in 3 years.
And it may be a multi-year process.
www.axios.com/2026/02/16/a...
And it may be a multi-year process.
www.axios.com/2026/02/16/a...
Exclusive: Pentagon warns Anthropic will "pay a price" as feud escalates
The Pentagon may label Anthropic a "supply chain risk," forcing all its vendors to sever ties.
www.axios.com
February 16, 2026 at 12:58 PM
The way they’re going about all of this, we’ll need to treat the AI tools they do sanction as viruses that need to be eradicated from government systems in 3 years.
And it may be a multi-year process.
www.axios.com/2026/02/16/a...
And it may be a multi-year process.
www.axios.com/2026/02/16/a...
Alternate headline:
“Rubio Pledges US Support for Putin’s Biggest Supporter in Europe Ahead of Tight Vote"
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
“Rubio Pledges US Support for Putin’s Biggest Supporter in Europe Ahead of Tight Vote"
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Rubio Pledges US Support for Hungary’s Orban Ahead of Tight Vote
US President Donald Trump would be ready to provide assistance if Hungary had any financial trouble, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Viktor Orban in...
www.bloomberg.com
February 16, 2026 at 12:19 PM
Alternate headline:
“Rubio Pledges US Support for Putin’s Biggest Supporter in Europe Ahead of Tight Vote"
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
“Rubio Pledges US Support for Putin’s Biggest Supporter in Europe Ahead of Tight Vote"
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
What’s funny is this would basically be the death knell for the Metaverse as an enterprise platform.
It obviously fell flat previously, but I don’t recall folks writing it off long-term (other than those of us who thought it was stupid in the first place). This scenario would do it.
It obviously fell flat previously, but I don’t recall folks writing it off long-term (other than those of us who thought it was stupid in the first place). This scenario would do it.
The interesting question is what comes next? My suspicion is that physical, face-to-face presence is going to skyrocket in value, while anything based on digital-only presence will collapse. Probably going to be a good run for elite social institutions.
February 16, 2026 at 3:48 AM
What’s funny is this would basically be the death knell for the Metaverse as an enterprise platform.
It obviously fell flat previously, but I don’t recall folks writing it off long-term (other than those of us who thought it was stupid in the first place). This scenario would do it.
It obviously fell flat previously, but I don’t recall folks writing it off long-term (other than those of us who thought it was stupid in the first place). This scenario would do it.
Reposted by Nathaniel William Horadam
The interesting question is what comes next? My suspicion is that physical, face-to-face presence is going to skyrocket in value, while anything based on digital-only presence will collapse. Probably going to be a good run for elite social institutions.
February 16, 2026 at 3:26 AM
The interesting question is what comes next? My suspicion is that physical, face-to-face presence is going to skyrocket in value, while anything based on digital-only presence will collapse. Probably going to be a good run for elite social institutions.
I frequently refer to data center developers as locusts. Still not seeing anything to make me believe otherwise.
🔌💡
🔌💡
February 16, 2026 at 2:43 AM
I frequently refer to data center developers as locusts. Still not seeing anything to make me believe otherwise.
🔌💡
🔌💡
Most folks think about EV adoption progress as measures of 1) gross EVs sold 2) % sales of new vehicle market 3) total % of vehicle fleet.
But in reality, there are probably a couple dozen measures by which you can measure progress. This is one of them.
🔌💡🔌🚗
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
But in reality, there are probably a couple dozen measures by which you can measure progress. This is one of them.
🔌💡🔌🚗
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Used EVS Under $25,000 Propel Sales Even as New Models Languish
Buyers seeking affordable cars are finding luck in the pre-owned EV market — and many are just a few years old.
www.bloomberg.com
February 16, 2026 at 1:09 AM
Most folks think about EV adoption progress as measures of 1) gross EVs sold 2) % sales of new vehicle market 3) total % of vehicle fleet.
But in reality, there are probably a couple dozen measures by which you can measure progress. This is one of them.
🔌💡🔌🚗
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
But in reality, there are probably a couple dozen measures by which you can measure progress. This is one of them.
🔌💡🔌🚗
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Nathaniel William Horadam
Propaganda during WWI and WWII in fact
February 15, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Propaganda during WWI and WWII in fact
When I started planning Tailings, I didn’t know what to expect in terms of readership. It was really just intended as a form of detox from three years with a front-row seat in an increasingly high-profile sector.
I’ve honestly been blown away by the reception. Today I just hit 250 subscribers. 🥳
I’ve honestly been blown away by the reception. Today I just hit 250 subscribers. 🥳
I’m pleased to share a new project I’ve been cooking up these past couple of months.
Welcome to "Tailings: Lessons from the frontlines of America’s quest for critical minerals security".
🔌💡🔌🚗
tailings.substack.com/p/introduction
Welcome to "Tailings: Lessons from the frontlines of America’s quest for critical minerals security".
🔌💡🔌🚗
tailings.substack.com/p/introduction
Introduction
Welcome to Tailings
tailings.substack.com
February 15, 2026 at 2:15 PM
When I started planning Tailings, I didn’t know what to expect in terms of readership. It was really just intended as a form of detox from three years with a front-row seat in an increasingly high-profile sector.
I’ve honestly been blown away by the reception. Today I just hit 250 subscribers. 🥳
I’ve honestly been blown away by the reception. Today I just hit 250 subscribers. 🥳
Was talking with a former colleague yesterday and discussed a lot of the bad commentary we see around minerals finance.
Sector analysts may talk to many financiers and companies about these challenges, and synthesize those data points into policy recommendations, but they lack critical context...
Sector analysts may talk to many financiers and companies about these challenges, and synthesize those data points into policy recommendations, but they lack critical context...
February 15, 2026 at 1:34 PM
Was talking with a former colleague yesterday and discussed a lot of the bad commentary we see around minerals finance.
Sector analysts may talk to many financiers and companies about these challenges, and synthesize those data points into policy recommendations, but they lack critical context...
Sector analysts may talk to many financiers and companies about these challenges, and synthesize those data points into policy recommendations, but they lack critical context...
Butlerian Tax Collection Now
The data center industry’s rampant growth in Georgia means taxpayer-backed incentives also balloon beyond earlier projections.
Georgia’s sales tax breaks for data centers tally more than $2.5 billion
www.ajc.com
February 15, 2026 at 12:40 PM
Butlerian Tax Collection Now
What’s the best song recorded* by an artist more than 20 years after their debut.
I’ll start: “City of Blinding Lights” by U2
*no previously unreleased recordings.
I’ll start: “City of Blinding Lights” by U2
*no previously unreleased recordings.
February 14, 2026 at 8:14 PM
What’s the best song recorded* by an artist more than 20 years after their debut.
I’ll start: “City of Blinding Lights” by U2
*no previously unreleased recordings.
I’ll start: “City of Blinding Lights” by U2
*no previously unreleased recordings.
I’ve found this "The Rare Earth Observer" Substack to be one of the most informative and incisive resources on the topic, and this latest issue doesn’t disappoint.
Absolute fire, with hard-hitting truths about the administration’s deals we’ve seen to date.
🔌💡
treo.substack.com/p/critical-m...
Absolute fire, with hard-hitting truths about the administration’s deals we’ve seen to date.
🔌💡
treo.substack.com/p/critical-m...
Critical Minerals Ministerial "Fact Sheet": Some Fact about Fact; Project Vault: Not a National Reserve, but a Golf Club; Frontier, BRE, St George and the lot.
Rare Earths 14 February 2026 #194
treo.substack.com
February 14, 2026 at 4:38 PM
I’ve found this "The Rare Earth Observer" Substack to be one of the most informative and incisive resources on the topic, and this latest issue doesn’t disappoint.
Absolute fire, with hard-hitting truths about the administration’s deals we’ve seen to date.
🔌💡
treo.substack.com/p/critical-m...
Absolute fire, with hard-hitting truths about the administration’s deals we’ve seen to date.
🔌💡
treo.substack.com/p/critical-m...
“Under his leadership…”
Boy, CSIS really isn’t even trying to hide that it has become a government mouthpiece. Also this week saw “analysis” of the Project Vault stockpiling initiative that was very obviously talking points laundered by the administration.
🔌💡
Boy, CSIS really isn’t even trying to hide that it has become a government mouthpiece. Also this week saw “analysis” of the Project Vault stockpiling initiative that was very obviously talking points laundered by the administration.
🔌💡
February 14, 2026 at 11:59 AM
“Under his leadership…”
Boy, CSIS really isn’t even trying to hide that it has become a government mouthpiece. Also this week saw “analysis” of the Project Vault stockpiling initiative that was very obviously talking points laundered by the administration.
🔌💡
Boy, CSIS really isn’t even trying to hide that it has become a government mouthpiece. Also this week saw “analysis” of the Project Vault stockpiling initiative that was very obviously talking points laundered by the administration.
🔌💡
Serious companies will still subject themselves to the compliance required under NEPA because the potential benefit they’d get from ignoring it is not worth the liability they’d expose themselves to should courts later determine they violated federal law.
🔌💡
www.latitudemedia.com/news/the-ris...
🔌💡
www.latitudemedia.com/news/the-ris...
The risks of DOE sidestepping NEPA
Is walking back enforcement of the landmark environmental law actually going to speed project development?
www.latitudemedia.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:27 PM
Serious companies will still subject themselves to the compliance required under NEPA because the potential benefit they’d get from ignoring it is not worth the liability they’d expose themselves to should courts later determine they violated federal law.
🔌💡
www.latitudemedia.com/news/the-ris...
🔌💡
www.latitudemedia.com/news/the-ris...
"Horn dismissed the accusation as ridiculous. 'I would never want for Greenland to be pressured to become a part of the United States,' he said."
I would simply not go out and say things that can be easily proven as lies by watching any of my Fox News appearances.
www.wsj.com/world/they-w...
I would simply not go out and say things that can be easily proven as lies by watching any of my Fox News appearances.
www.wsj.com/world/they-w...
They Want to Turn Greenland Into an AI Powerhouse. Locals Aren’t Buying It.
A former Trump official and a Greenlandic businessman want to hitch the island up to the U.S. through investment.
www.wsj.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:06 PM
"Horn dismissed the accusation as ridiculous. 'I would never want for Greenland to be pressured to become a part of the United States,' he said."
I would simply not go out and say things that can be easily proven as lies by watching any of my Fox News appearances.
www.wsj.com/world/they-w...
I would simply not go out and say things that can be easily proven as lies by watching any of my Fox News appearances.
www.wsj.com/world/they-w...