AB2929:v98#DOCUMENTBill Start
Amended
IN
Assembly
March 24, 2022
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CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE—
2021–2022 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 2929
Introduced by Assembly Member Eduardo Garcia
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February 18, 2022 |
An act to add Chapter 15 (commencing with Section 25992) to Division 15 of the Public Resources Code, relating to public resources.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 2929, as amended, Eduardo Garcia.
Lithium extraction. production: report.
Existing law establishes in the Natural Resources Agency the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission. Existing law requires, on or before March 1, 2021, the commission to establish, as provided, and convene the Blue Ribbon Commission on Lithium Extraction in California (Blue Ribbon Commission), with specified members appointed as prescribed. Existing law requires the Blue Ribbon Commission to review, investigate, and analyze certain issues and potential incentives, as described, regarding lithium extraction and use in California, and to consult, if feasible, with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Department of Energy in performing these tasks. Existing law requires the Blue Ribbon Commission to submit, on or before October 1, 2022, a report to the Legislature documenting its findings and recommendations, as specified.
This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would establish a model for new state revenues from lithium extraction to benefit Californians.
This bill would require the Legislative Analyst’s Office to annually report to the Legislature on the health, environmental, and economic impacts and benefits of producing lithium from geothermal brines located in the County of Imperial in an area near the Salton Sea commonly referred to as “Lithium Valley.”
Digest Key
Vote:
MAJORITY
Appropriation:
NO
Fiscal Committee:
NOYES
Local Program:
NO
Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Chapter 15 (commencing with Section 25992) is added to Division 15 of the Public Resources Code, to read:
CHAPTER
15. Lithium Valley
25992.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) As California transitions to a decarbonized economy, the state’s heavy reliance on importing lithium from foreign countries robs the state of the opportunity to pair climate change and transportation goals with the creation of high-quality, green jobs.
(b) With ambitious goals to meet, and the majority of automakers producing electric vehicles by 2035, the demand for lithium is expected to grow exponentially over the next decade.
(c) According to industry experts, the Salton Sea geothermal resource area, known as “Lithium Valley,” can potentially satisfy more than one-third
of global lithium demand.
25992.1.
Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the Legislative Analyst’s Office shall annually submit, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, a report to the Legislature on the health, environmental, and economic impacts and benefits of producing lithium from geothermal brines located in the County of Imperial in an area near the Salton Sea commonly referred to as “Lithium Valley.”SECTION 1.The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)California has abundant untapped lithium reserves, including in geothermal brine more than a mile underground near the Salton Sea.
(b)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.
(c)Experts estimate the region could satisfy more than one-third of today’s global lithium demand.
(d)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.
SEC. 2.It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would establish a model for new state revenues from lithium extraction to benefit Californians.