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Members press DOE on critical minerals and lithium-from-geothermal projects in Imperial Valley
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Summary
Lawmakers including California members urged DOE support for domestic critical minerals and geothermal lithium projects; Secretary Wright expressed interest in Lithium Valley development and agreed to visit the district.
Members from California described projects that would extract lithium and other critical minerals from geothermal brines in Imperial County and urged Department of Energy support to ensure supply chains and domestic manufacturing. Representative from the district said the Lithium Valley reserves could supply materials for millions of electric-vehicle batteries and stressed workforce and infrastructure needs.
Secretary Wright said he shared the committee's enthusiasm, called the projects ‘‘exciting’’ and said DOE would evaluate proposals and work with states and project developers. He agreed to consider a site visit to the district and noted DOE's interest in technologies that can pair geothermal power production with mineral extraction.
Members also asked how DOE programs, including loan authorities and targeted grants, could be used to help rural and under-resourced regions develop workforce pipelines and project infrastructure. Wright said he would follow up and coordinate with members to evaluate federal support and the department's role in enabling private investment.
Ending: DOE committed to follow up in writing and said the secretary would consider a site visit; members pressed for federal tools that support local workforce development and project certainty so private capital will commit.
