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County approves application to California Energy Commission for 'Legacy' education initiative to support Lithium Valley
Summary
Imperial County supervisors voted 5-0 to authorize submission of an application to the California Energy Commission(CEC) geothermal grant and loan program and to approve a county letter of support for the "Legacy" initiative, a new education and workforce program targeting grades 7'2.
Imperial County supervisors voted 5-0 to authorize submission of an application to the California Energy Commission(CEC) geothermal grant and loan program and to approve a county letter of support for the "Legacy" initiative, a new county-led education and workforce pipeline focused on geothermal and lithium-industry careers.
The Legacy initiative (Lithium Education and Geothermal for Advancing Careers) targets students in grades 7 through 12 and proposes classroom and community materials, a six-episode bilingual animated video series, a guest-speaker series with local industry partners, career-and-college workshops in coordination with Imperial Valley College and San Diego State University, and virtual-reality field trips to geothermal and lithium facilities.
Deputy CEO for Natural Resources Barry Bean described the proposal and asked the board to review the resolution authorizing the application and the county's letter of support. "This initiative is called the legacy initiative. Legacy standing for lithium education and geothermal for advancing careers in our youth," Bean said, outlining plans for classroom modules, industry speakers and virtual reality experiences intended to broaden students' exposure to renewable-energy careers.
Board members expressed general support. Supervisor Ryan Elliot Kelly moved the resolution; Supervisor Peggy Price seconded. Chair John Hock called the vote and announced the motion carried 5-0.
County staff said the grant application would be submitted under category H of the CEC program, which the presentation described as covering identification, research, and implementation of mitigation measures for adverse social and economic impacts. The presentation said materials would be made available in English and Spanish and that the county would seek letters of support from industry and education partners.
The board-approved resolution authorizes submittal of the application and the county's letter of support; staff will pursue the CEC funding opportunity and return with updates as needed.
The action was purely an authorization to apply and provide a letter of support; no funding award or contract was approved at the meeting.
Sources: Deputy CEO Barry Bean's presentation and the board vote.
