Issue 10: Calipatria city leaders object to Imperial County’s lithium economic plan
Calipatria city leaders say they have been excluded in the creation of the lithium economic plan and that the county is leaving the “crumbs” for the residents closest to the region’s lithium projects.
Fresh this Week
EnergySource Mails Out Lithium-Related Material to IV Residents
EnergySource Minerals has recently begun reaching out to Imperial Valley residents with an informational package that explains its lithium extraction ambitions. The San Diego-based company is one of three seeking to extract lithium from the geothermal brine that’s already pumped to the surface to generate steam energy.
In the package, which is arriving in the mail to some El Centro residents, EnergySource makes a number of claims:
It claims that its Iliad lithium extraction technology is “the industry’s only proven Lithium extraction technology.”
It also claims that EnergySource Minerals “is the furthest along in proving commercial viability” in lithium extraction in the region.
The company claims that its lithium extraction process uses 50 cubic meters of water per ton of lithium hydroxide produced — far less than the amount used in other countries.
Additionally, it claims that it will produce 2 tons of carbon dioxide per ton of lithium hydroxide produced — again, also far less than other countries.
It claims that its Atlis technology has cost $660 million in private investments — “no public dollars at all” — and that it will create a total of 220 direct and indirect jobs in the region.
It also claims that Imperial County will generate $10 million in tax and tipping fees from EnergySource’s lithium extraction and that it will generate $18 million in payroll and revenues to local services.
The mailed package includes a two-page letter from Derek Benson, its chief operating officer, saying that EnergySource’s Atlis project is “permitted and construction-ready.”
The letter concludes with an invitation, along with a pre-paid postcard, for residents to share their thoughts. “Because we value your ideas, we will give you a call soon to ensure you received this information and answer any questions you may have.”
However, an email for Derek Benson provided in the letter does not seem to work and my several attempts to reach Benson have been unsuccessful. To date, the company has been largely absent in community events or public discussions about its lithium project.
Imperial County Candidates Offer Different Views on Taxing Lithium
How will lithium be taxed in the Imperial Valley? This week, candidates for District 1 of the county's board of supervisors tackled the question of how to tax the lithium industry in the valley. The Calexico Chronicle reported that the candidates seemed to differ the most on the topic.
Candidate Joong Kim appeared to be apathetic to the issue and resource and distrustful of out-of-county investors, claiming that they take the money invested into these projects and leave the county, the Calexico Chronicle reported.
“I think (the lithium industry) should pay extra taxes, but not too much. You don’t want to do that to someone bringing business here," Kim added.
Jesus Escobar, the county supervisor running for re-election, said he believed lithium should be taxed equitably, not heavily.
“Heavily taxed is a misnomer, you don’t want to chase businesses away. Lithium should be taxed equitably. Equitable for residents, equitable for the county, and equitable for the lithium industry,” Escobar said.
It’s unclear when Imperial County leaders will raise official discussions of taxation on lithium projects in the region but the board of supervisors has already inked a broad economic plan, which says it will seek voters’ approval on how to tax lithium in the near future.
Lithium Valley Commission Postpones Meeting
The state’s blue-ribbon commission to study the impacts of lithium extraction in the Imperial Valley abruptly canceled this week’s meeting without notice or explanation. A source said the meeting was postponed because not enough commission members were able to attend and that it will be rescheduled for “early May.”
At this meeting, the Lithium Valley Commission was supposed to announce the addition of a vacant seat in the 14-member group and it was supposed to discuss the drafting of a support letter for Imperial County’s Lithium Valley Economic Opportunity Investment Plan.
Attempts to reach commission members, its chair or the California Energy Commission to get more information have been unsuccessful.
The Lithium Valley Facebook Group Now Has 200 Members
The Facebook Group dedicated to informing Imperial Valley residents about lithium extraction projects has now gained 200 members. While that may be a small fraction of what other local Facebook Groups (and Pages) have, it’s worth noting that this group is composed of local residents, local government and business leaders, as well as environmental and social justice group organizers.
What’s clear is that there is a growing contingency of Imperial Valley residents who seek answers and clarity on the promises of lithium in the region. And they seem to be finding those answers in this Facebook Group.
And while county and business leaders continue to offer minimal opportunities for the public to engage on this topic, this Facebook Group will soon become the central town square on lithium in the Imperial Valley. You won’t find a bigger set of engaged voters on this topic anywhere else.
Want to join the discussion on developments of the Lithium Valley? Join the Facebook Group and subscribe to this newsletter for a fresh batch of news every Friday.
Between the Lines
Calipatria City Council Objects to Imperial County’s Lithium Economic Plan
On Tuesday, the Calipatria City Council raised objections to the Imperial County’s plans to take full control of the economic benefits stemming from lithium projects in the region.
Maria Nava-Froelich, Calipatria’s Mayor Pro-Tempore, urged the city council to not support the Imperial County Lithium Valley Economic Opportunity Investment Plan, the Imperial Valley Press reported.
“We’re getting crumbs over here,” Nava-Froelich told the council at the meeting. “We need to band together and say, ‘no, we [are] not going to give you a letter of support until you allow us the opportunity to leverage our community benefits.’”
The county’s lithium economic plan, which leaders approved on February 15, proposes to leverage the region’s newfound gold mine of lithium to attract state and federal funding for infrastructure and services, among other things.
One key area of objection for groups in the minority is the creation of a subcommittee spelled out in the county’s lithium economic plan. Notably, the subcommittee would be composed of county leaders but not environmental or social justice groups.
When the county passed its lithium economic plan, it celebrated it with a press conference. County leaders have touted it in meetings and presentations. But to date, it has not gained widespread support from county residents or city leaders like Nava-Froelich.
Calipatria is the city closest to the geothermal plants looking to extract lithium and last week it was visited by U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm — a visit that some attendees described as a photo opportunity.
Calipatria, a city of some 6,500 residents, has suffered some of the worst unemployment rates in the nation. About 35% of those residents live in poverty.
Ryan Kelley, the county supervisor whose region includes Calipatria, said at the meeting that he is an advocate for the area and that “there’s not going to be a robber within this county that’s going to take anything away from Calipatria or Niland.”
Kelley is also the vice-chair of the Lithium Valley Commission, which was supposed to draft a letter of support for the county’s lithium economic plan this week, however that meeting was canceled at the last minute.
The Lithium Valley Commission, which was created in early 2021, has only had one region-wide community event and social and environmental justice groups say there has been a lack of effort to meet with residents or answer questions about upcoming lithium projects.
Members of the commission, including its chair and vice-chair, business leaders, IID leaders and county leaders have been invited to participate in the Lithium Valley Updates Facebook Group, but none have responded to that invitation.
The Calipatria City Council said it will reconsider its support for the county’s lithium economic plan at its next meeting on May 10.
Movements to Watch
The Imperial County’s Planning & Development Services Department planned to meet on Thursday to discuss the environmental impact review process for Controlled Thermal Resources’ geothermal and lithium plant. However, that meeting either did not take place or records of it have been scrubbed from the internet.
The Australian-based company, CTR, is the newcomer of three companies seeking to extract lithium in the Imperial Valley. Its Hell’s Kitchen power and lithium plant is currently under an environmental impact review process as required by California law.
California Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia last week pushed forward three bills relating to lithium projects in Southern California. Though Garcia represents the Coachella Valley, the three bills would tackle a range of issues including environmental and economic impacts and benefits in the Lithium Valley. It’s unclear when those bills will be taken up for a vote at the state Assembly but Garcia successfully got those through key committees, the Desert Sun reported.
Want to stay updated on developments of the Lithium Valley? Join the Facebook Group and subscribe to this newsletter for a fresh batch of news every Friday.