AB 2851: Salton Sea geothermal resource area: Lithium Valley Office of Development.
- Session Year: 2021-2022
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2022-03-24
The Warren-Alquist State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Act establishes the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (Energy Commission) in the Natural Resources Agency. Existing law requires the Energy Commission to undertake a continuing assessment of trends in the consumption of electrical energy and other forms of energy and to analyze the social, economic, and environmental consequences of these trends, and to carry out, or cause to be carried out, under contract or other arrangements, research and development into alternative sources of energy, improvements in energy generation, transmission, and siting, fuel substitution, and other topics related to energy supply, demand, public safety, ecology, and conservation that are of particular statewide importance.
This bill would establish the Lithium Valley Office of Development within the Natural Resources Agency. The bill would require the office, in consultation with relevant state and local agencies, to coordinate activities related to funding, economic development, construction, manufacturing, technical development, and reclamation of lithium located in the Salton Sea geothermal resource area.
Existing law finds and declares that there is a pressing need to accelerate research and development into alternative sources of energy and into improved technology of design and siting of power facilities.This bill would express the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would support the development of infrastructure processes that support Californias lithium battery manufacturing supply chain. The bill would also include related legislative findings and declarations.Existing law finds and declares that there is a pressing need to accelerate research and development into alternative sources of energy and into improved technology of design and siting of power facilities.
This bill would express the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would support the development of infrastructure processes that support Californias lithium battery manufacturing supply chain. The bill would also include related legislative findings and declarations.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)As California transitions to a decarbonized economy, the states heavy reliance on importing lithium from foreign countries robs the state of the opportunity to pair climate change and transportation goals with the creation of high-quality, green jobs.
(b)With ambitious goals to meet, and the majority of automakers producing electric vehicles by 2035, the demand for lithium is expected to grow exponentially over the next decade.
(c)According to industry experts, the Salton Sea geothermal resource area, known as Lithium Valley, can potentially satisfy more than one-third of global lithium demand.
SEC. 2.Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 25250) is added to Division 15 of the Public Resources Code, to read:3.5Lithium Valley Office of Development25250.The Lithium Valley Office of Development is hereby established in the Natural Resources Agency. The office shall, in consultation with relevant state and local agencies, coordinate activities related to funding, economic development, construction, manufacturing, technical development, and reclamation of lithium located in the Salton Sea geothermal resource area.
SECTION 1.(a)The Legislature finds and declares both of the following:(1)Lithium is becoming an increasingly critical resource as the state, and the world, moves toward a clean energy future to tackle the climate crisis. This metal is a crucial component of batteries needed to power electric vehicles, enable a 100-percent clean electric grid, and move the states homes and industries away from fossil fuels.(2)California has abundant untapped lithium reserves, including in geothermal brine more than a mile underground near the Salton Sea. The state is poised to become a global leader in the deployment of new, environmentally sound technologies that can coproduce lithium with renewable electricity from geothermal power plants in the Imperial Valley. Experts estimate the region could satisfy more than one-third of todays global lithium demand. Building out a world-class battery manufacturing ecosystem in tandem with lithium production and processing would also increase economic opportunity in the Salton Sea region, delivering quality jobs and community benefits to the region.(b)It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would support the development of infrastructure processes that support Californias lithium battery manufacturing supply chain.(a)The Legislature finds and declares both of the following:
(1)Lithium is becoming an increasingly critical resource as the state, and the world, moves toward a clean energy future to tackle the climate crisis. This metal is a crucial component of batteries needed to power electric vehicles, enable a 100-percent clean electric grid, and move the states homes and industries away from fossil fuels.
(2)California has abundant untapped lithium reserves, including in geothermal brine more than a mile underground near the Salton Sea. The state is poised to become a global leader in the deployment of new, environmentally sound technologies that can coproduce lithium with renewable electricity from geothermal power plants in the Imperial Valley. Experts estimate the region could satisfy more than one-third of todays global lithium demand. Building out a world-class battery manufacturing ecosystem in tandem with lithium production and processing would also increase economic opportunity in the Salton Sea region, delivering quality jobs and community benefits to the region.
(b)It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would support the development of infrastructure processes that support Californias lithium battery manufacturing supply chain.
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Date
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Status
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| May 19, 2022 | In committee: Held under submission. |
| May 19, 2022 | Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. (Page 4736.) |
| May 18, 2022 | In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file. |
| May 11, 2022 | In committee: Hearing postponed by committee. |
| Apr 21, 2022 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (April 20). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Mar 28, 2022 | Re-referred to Com. on U. & E. |
| Mar 24, 2022 | Referred to Com. on U. & E. |
| Feb 19, 2022 | From printer. May be heard in committee March 21. |
| Feb 18, 2022 | Introduced. To print. |
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