How green-tech innovations are changing everything from better batteries to vacations to war-making.

On an arid mountain in Eureka County, Nev., a mining company believes it’s struck the 21st century equivalent of gold.

The precious commodity is vanadium, a metal that can be extracted from shale rock and used to make powerful, long-lasting batteries for cars, homes and utilities.

If Vancouver-based American Vanadium gets federal approval for its proposed Gibellini Hill Project — a 30-day public comment period ends May 29 — it will operate the only vanadium mine in the United States.

Wendy Koch, USA TODAY

Full Story: http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/05/12/battery-revolution-expands-solar-wind-energy/2133043/