AB 2929: Lithium production: report.

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Existing law establishes in the Natural Resources Agency the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission. Existing law requires, on or before March 1, 2021, the commission to establish, as provided, and convene the Blue Ribbon Commission on Lithium Extraction in California (Blue Ribbon Commission), with specified members appointed as prescribed. Existing law requires the Blue Ribbon Commission to review, investigate, and analyze certain issues and potential incentives, as described, regarding lithium extraction and use in California, and to consult, if feasible, with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Department of Energy in performing these tasks. Existing law requires the Blue Ribbon Commission to submit, on or before October 1, 2022, a report to the Legislature documenting its findings and recommendations, as specified.

This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would establish a model for new state revenues from lithium extraction to benefit Californians.

This bill would require the Legislative Analysts Office to annually report to the Legislature on the health, environmental, and economic impacts and benefits of producing lithium from geothermal brines located in the County of Imperial in an area near the Salton Sea commonly referred to as Lithium Valley.

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The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1.Chapter 15 (commencing with Section 25992) is added to Division 15 of the Public Resources Code, to read:15.Lithium Valley25992.

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.

25992.1.

Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the Legislative Analysts Office shall annually submit, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, a report to the Legislature on the health, environmental, and economic impacts and benefits of producing lithium from geothermal brines located in the County of Imperial in an area near the Salton Sea commonly referred to as Lithium Valley.

SECTION 1.The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a)California has abundant untapped lithium reserves, including in geothermal brine more than a mile underground near the Salton Sea.(b)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.(c)Experts estimate the region could satisfy more than one-third of todays global lithium demand.(d)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. SEC. 2.It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would establish a model for new state revenues from lithium extraction to benefit Californians.

Date	Status
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.

Authors shown for version:
Amended Assembly (3/24/2022)