Brawley – Citizens Committee and Earthworks announced a joint petition on Wednesday, March 13th, challenging the approval of the Managed Thermal Resources Hell's Kitchen Lithium Project adjacent to the Salton Sea in the Imperial Valley. The petition alleges that Imperial County (County) has a seriously flawed Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that lacks sufficient analysis and ignores potential impacts to air quality, hazardous waste, and water. It has approved the project and claims it violates the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). supply. The petition also alleged that the county did not comply with legal requirements for tribal consultation, including meaningful consultation with affected tribes and requirements for tribe-specific mitigation.
“While Controlled Thermal Resources boasts about the sustainability of direct lithium extraction, public health, hazardous waste and water concerns remain unresolved,” said Luis Olmedo, Executive Director of the Citizens Committee. Ta. “We have passionately raised our concerns about this project throughout the planning process and advocated for reasonable mitigation measures to ensure Lithium Valley is developed responsibly while protecting the environment and public health of the local community. However, because the Department of Management and Thermal Resources and the county have taken the initiative, we have no choice but to pursue legal action. We look forward to returning to the negotiating table in good faith to implement meaningful mitigation measures, including meaningful changes to the project's construction and operations.”
Last year, CCV and Earthworks A report has been published On the potential impact of direct lithium extraction (DLE) on environmental justice. The report states that DLE technology could prove to be less impactful than conventional mining using open pits or evaporation ponds, but the technology has never been used on a commercial scale and therefore many It was found that some uncertainty remains. The report recommends a precautionary approach, especially as it relates to freshwater consumption from an overloaded Colorado River and worsening air quality impacts from a dry Salton Sea.
“Lithium is important for the transition away from fossil fuels, but lithium mining has serious negative environmental and social impacts that need to be addressed,” said Jared Naimark, California mine organizer at Earthworks. . “California has an opportunity to usher in a just transition with more responsible practices. It starts with making sure you’re compliant.”
The Hell's Kitchen project was approved by Imperial County on January 23rd, and CTR held a groundbreaking ceremony on January 26th. This legal challenge will result in a review of the EIR to determine whether it complies with CEQA or needs revision. All options are being considered to properly analyze and mitigate community concerns, particularly potential impacts related to air quality, hazardous waste, and water supplies. The petition also alleges that the county has not complied with legal requirements for inter-tribal consultation.
CEO Rod Colwell:
“The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is intended to provide decision-making bodies and the public with complete information about the environmental considerations in every project,” said CEO of Control Heat Resources, Inc. ) said Rod Colwell in his response to the committee. And it's an expected step in nearly every major development in California. Imperial County has ensured that all project impacts are fully mitigated. CTR is confident in the thorough review Imperial County has completed and does not expect this process to impact the timeline for project completion. Controlled Thermal Resources will reduce U.S. dependence on lithium imports, foster electric vehicle growth, and provide high-paying union construction jobs and direct project jobs in Imperial County while maintaining the highest environmental standards We are ready to play a key role in ”
