Big Stock Photo

As companies eye massive lithium deposits in California’s Salton Sea, locals anticipate a mixed bag

June Kim writes for Inside Climate News about mining the Salton Sea and the frontline communities in Lithium Valley that are cautiously optimistic about the economic potential, but also concerned about the health and environmental issues mining could create.

In a nutshell:

The Salton Sea has been in decline for decades due to pollution and drought. However, the region, now known as "Lithium Valley," is gaining attention for its untapped lithium deposits. With the increasing demand for lithium in clean energy technologies, companies are exploring advanced mining techniques like direct lithium extraction to harness the lithium from brine deposits beneath the Salton Sea. While DLE offers potential benefits, challenges remain in scaling up production and addressing environmental concerns, including effects on human health.

Key quote:

Open pit mines often lead to the destruction of vegetation and habitat, soil erosion and air pollution. “Imagine a hole in the ground that’s the size of Central Park and as deep as the Empire State Building,” Donnelly says.

The big picture:

Open-pit mining, including lithium mining, can have significant health impacts on surrounding communities. The process involves digging large open pits to extract minerals, which can lead to air and water pollution due to the release of harmful substances. Dust particles and pollutants generated during mining operations can cause respiratory problems and other health issues for residents in the vicinity. The disruption of land and ecosystems can also impact water quality and local wildlife, affecting the overall well-being of communities living near these mining sites.

Read the article at Inside Climate News.

In the global push to mine for minerals, clean energy advocates ask what going green really means, writes Shannon Kelleher for The New Lede.

insideclimatenews.org

Credit: Antonio Garcia/Unsplash

California mining company turns to solar heat but can’t quit coal just yet

In California’s Mojave Desert, a mining plant is turning to solar thermal energy to replace one of its coal-fired generators, but a second unit may run for years due to the intense heat and 24-hour power it needs.

Ivan Penn reports for The New York Times.

In short:

Searles Valley Minerals, a mining company in Trona, Calif., is replacing one of its two coal plants with a solar thermal system but says the other may need to stay online for the foreseeable future due to operational demands.
The company will use a concentrating solar power system from start-up GlassPoint, which uses mirrors to generate high heat, a solution that works well in hot, sunny areas but requires a large land footprint and remains rare in the U.S.
Despite California’s push to phase out coal and President Trump’s efforts to revive it, economic and geographic constraints continue to complicate full industrial transitions away from fossil fuels.

Key quote:

“We just think coal is going to be a problem. We’re going to have a hard time sourcing it. We need to be ready to pivot.”

— Dennis Cruise, president of Searles Valley Minerals

Why this matters:

Industrial heat — the kind used in mining, chemical production, and heavy manufacturing — accounts for about half of global energy use, yet it’s rarely mentioned in public climate debates. Unlike home heating or car travel, generating this level of heat without fossil fuels is still tough. Most renewable energy technologies don’t deliver the extreme, continuous heat these facilities need. That leaves industries like the one in Trona stuck with coal, even as it becomes harder to source and politically unpopular. As the U.S. attempts to decarbonize, industrial energy needs present one of the biggest hurdles.

Read the Full Article on

www.nytimes.com

As companies eye massive lithium deposits in California’s Salton Sea, locals anticipate a mixed bag

Steelmaker retreats from clean energy plans as hydrogen costs and politics shift

California mining company turns to solar heat but can’t quit coal just yet

New gas plant approved in Newark despite community objections over health and pollution

New research links stalled jet stream to rising summer weather extremes

Brazil moves to auction vast oil blocks despite climate and Indigenous concerns

South African coal town struggles to see benefits of clean energy shift

World climate talks resume without U.S. as global negotiators assess new path forward

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.