Category: News

July 18, 2024: Inside Climate News: Energy Transition Is Coming at the Expense of Water. A new paper highlights the environmental impacts of lithium extraction and use, crucial for batteries powering electric vehicles and storing renewable energy. Lithium mining and processing, essential due to its superior charge-holding capacity, require significant water use, potentially depleting and…

Feb 23, 2024: Desert Sun: Lithium: Deadline to appeal Hell’s Kitchen project near Salton Sea pushed back. A local community health organization and a national environmental group have negotiated with the developer of the Hell’s Kitchen lithium and geothermal power projects to secure an extension of at least 15 days to appeal Imperial County approvals…

Jan 25, 2024: Desert Sun: Construction starts on huge lithium project near Salton Sea despite threat of a lawsuit. A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Hell’s Kitchen 1 plant, a groundbreaking lithium extraction and geothermal power facility near the Salton Sea. The $1.85 billion project, attended by White House energy advisor John Podesta and…

Jan 21, 2024: Daily Kos: Group Urges State Water Board To Prevent Merced River From Drying Up Again. The Merced River, renowned for trout and historic salmon runs, faced a crisis in late 2022 when it ran dry for four months near its confluence with the San Joaquin River. Friends of the River (FOR), a conservation group in…

Sep 21, 2023: CBS News: Shrinking Salton Sea raises health alarms for surrounding community Without replenishment from the Colorado River, the Salton Sea in Southern California is rapidly receding, exposing to the wind a dry and toxic lakebed that could pose ongoing health risks to the surrounding community. Jonathan Vigliotti has more.

Jul 31, 2023: CBS News: 60 Minutes: Not enough water to go around: Colorado River Basin, ravaged by drought, plans for a drier future Seven states and 30 Native American tribes lying in the Colorado River Basin prepare to make hard choices as water levels plummet due to a 23-year drought. Bill Whitaker reports.

May 7, 2023: CBS NEWS: 60 Minutes | California’s Lithium Valley could power electric vehicle industry. As the U.S. auto industry goes green, companies are developing lithium extraction for batteries in California’s Imperial Valley. Bill Whitaker reports.

Feb 15, 2023: Press Release: Senator Padilla Introduces Legislation To Create Salton Sea Conservancy. Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) today introduced Senate Bill 583, creating the Salton Sea Conservancy, unifying the state’s efforts to accomplish necessary and overdue preservation projects, protecting residents’ health, and fostering ecological recovery in the area.

Dec 21, 2022: CBS News: Water crisis looms over Southwest as Colorado River dries up. A water crisis is unfolding in the nation’s Southwest, as the Colorado River begins to dry up, the result of overconsumption, climate change and drought. Theodore Cooke, general manager of the Central Arizona Project, the state’s largest renewable water supply,…

Aug 14, 2022: CBS News: 60 Minutes: Southwest states facing tough choices about water as Colorado River diminishes. The drought-ridden Colorado River faces a critical situation, marked by the first-ever federal shortage declaration last summer, leading to water supply cuts in the Southwest. The river, vital for the region, sustains rapidly growing cities, fertile fields, and supports…