State Senator Ben Hueso (D-San Diego) announced that Senate Bill 1074 has been signed into law by the Governor. This bill helps existing geothermal plants operating in disadvantaged communities by funding innovative minerals extraction techniques at those facilities has made its way to the Governor’s desk.
“It is in our best interest to fund projects for mineral recovery from geothermal brines,” stated Senator Hueso. “The signing of this bill has the potential of putting the Salton Sea at the center of the map for companies which highly rely on lithium as part of their electric battery production. I am proud this project may help us reach our energy-efficiency and environmental goals and in turn create more jobs for our state. I am grateful to the Governor for making this a priority.”
Senate Bill 1074 specifically expands the eligible uses of monies in the Geothermal Resources Development Account (GRDA) to include projects to recover lithium, metals, agricultural products, and other beneficial minerals from highly mineralized geothermal brines at an existing geothermal facility that is in a disadvantaged community and provides local employment opportunities.
