Bill Text: CA AB2851 | 2021-2022 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Salton Sea geothermal resource area: Lithium Valley Office of Development.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-05-19 - In committee: Held under submission. [AB2851 Detail]
Download: California-2021-AB2851-Amended.html
Amended
IN
Assembly
March 24, 2022 |
Introduced by Assembly Member Eduardo Garcia |
February 18, 2022 |
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
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 California’s lithium battery manufacturing supply chain. The bill would also include related legislative findings and declarations.
Digest Key
Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee:Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:SEC. 2.
Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 25250) is added to Division 15 of the Public Resources Code, to read:CHAPTER 3.5 Lithium Valley Office of Development
25250.
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.(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 state’s 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 today’s 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 California’s lithium battery manufacturing supply chain.