EL CENTRO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Tuesday, April 12 at their regular Board meeting, the Imperial County Board of Supervisors continued to make progress on their commitment to improve the economic opportunities of Imperial County in a responsible and environmental manner by moving forward with the development of Lithium Valley. The actions by the Board include developing land use and environmental tools to assist in the streamlining of various renewable resources and energy projects in the southern Salton Sea area; specifically preparing the contract for the Salton Sea Renewable Resource Specific Plan, accompanying Programmatic Environmental Impact Report (EIR), and developing the Lithium Development Infrastructure Assessment planning document. The intended goals of the actions taken by the Board are:

• To encourage the development of lithium and other mineral recovery facilities utilizing the significant geothermal resource;
• To develop new and expand existing geothermal power generation facilities; and
• To develop other renewable resource operations, including, but not limited to, lithium battery manufacturing, clean hydrogen production, organic material repurposing, and renewable fuel alternatives.

Furthermore, the Board expressed their support of the Imperial County Department of Public Works’ development of a Lithium Infrastructure Assessment planning document to provide a better understanding of the needed improvements and anticipated expansion to county roads, bridges, broadband/telecommunications, water and sewer facilities, gas and electrical infrastructure, and quality of life for residents and industry of the southern Salton Sea area.

The Board also shared their commitment in their continued inclusion of the community and all stakeholders, including local and regional environmental and social justice groups, community based organizations, labor unions, and industry representatives to provide a transparent and informative process that will ensure an equitable benefit for all that live and work in Imperial County.

“This is a win-win approach that focuses on working with the public and industry by streamlining the development process while fully addressing the economic, environmental, and social needs of our community in an equitable manner,” stated Chairman of the Board, Jesus E. Escobar.

“We are moving forward with the Master Planning of Lithium Valley in Imperial County. Our comprehensive planning approach will include an assurance for industry, protection for the environment and benefit for our community,” added District 4 Supervisor and Vice-Chair of the Lithium Valley Commission, Ryan Kelley.

For more information on Lithium Valley and the Lithium Valley Economic Investment Opportunity Plan, please visit www.LithiumValley.ImperialCounty.org.

940 Main Street, Suite 208 · El Centro, CA 92243
442-265-1001 Tel · 442-265-1010 Fax
www.ImperialCounty.org

Gil Rebollar
(442) 265-1018