Hydrosocial imaginaries of green extractivism: Water-energy transitions and geothermal lithium development at the Salton Sea in Imperial Valley, California

Abstract

Lithium is considered an “energy transition mineral” for mitigating climate change because it is a key component of batteries for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. Even though it is framed as green, lithium mining has significant impacts on communities and ecosystems, especially in relation to water. This research takes a hydrosocial approach to examine the benefits and burdens of a proposed alternative method to avoid the harmful impacts of conventional lithium mining from brine evaporation or open-pit mining, by pairing geothermal energy production with direct lithium extraction (DLE) in the Salton Sea region of California. Government and industry proponents have framed this novel technology as an environmentally superior process, and boosters seek to transform the southeast edge of the Salton Sea in Imperial Valley into "Lithium Valley." We examine the emergence of green extractivism in Imperial Valley through three hydrosocial imaginaries: (1) reclamation; (2) restoration; and (3) recovery. Reclamation offers a lens through which to critically analyze the foundation of the Salton Sea, which is deeply rooted in colonialism, dispossession and industrialization. Restoration encompasses the environmental and public health impacts that a receding sea level and agro-industrial waste streams have on the region. Finally, geothermal lithium development has been framed by tech entrepreneurs, energy firms and resource managers as a process of “recovery” that would deliver community benefits and cleaner energy, while evading negative connotations of mineral “extraction.” Drawing from collaborative research and action for environmental justice, this study contributes to community engagement on the proposed Lithium Valley development.