Imperial Valley's Lithium Boom: Economic Hope Amid Environmental Concerns

The region's vast lithium reserves could revolutionize the local economy and America's EV industry, but residents fear potential exploitation and environmental risks.

• Imperial Valley holds enough lithium to produce nearly 400 million batteries, potentially transforming the U.S. auto industry to electric vehicles.
• Companies are pioneering an environmentally friendly method to extract lithium from geothermal brine, promising the cleanest lithium on the market.
• Local officials are courting big investors with promises of job creation and streamlined permitting, but residents worry about repeating past exploitation.
• Environmental and community groups are concerned about the potential health impacts of increased water use, waste, and air pollution from lithium extraction.
• Advocates suggest that direct payments to residents, similar to Alaska's oil revenue dividends, could ensure local communities benefit from the lithium boom.

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