Imperial County, CA could hold the key to a clean-energy fortune

SalesMoney MattersElectric VehiclesHigh Tech / High Touch
Written By Jennifer Joslyn

Imperial County, California is one of the most depressing places in the country, but it houses an underground reservoir that could supply a massive amount of lithium to a country hell-bent on clean energy. With the unemployment rate hitting over 16 percent in the county (when California’s average is just about 4%) it’s likely that such a lithium-filled breakthrough could greatly benefit its residents.

Read more from Prospect.org ▶

You also might like....
California's New Fixed Utility Charge Has Sparked A Heated Debate
California's New Fixed Utility Charge Has Sparked A Heated Debate

Two years ago, California lawmakers quietly passed a complex energy bill that transformed how residents are billed for electricity.

Forbes Advisor Explores the Cost of Savings With Metro and State Rankings
Forbes Advisor Explores the Cost of Savings With Metro and State Rankings

California's reputation for high living costs is well-known, but a recent report from Forbes Advisor highlights other areas across the United States that can put a strain on your wallet.

Los Angeles Expands Industrial Storage amidst New Zoning and Emission Rules
Los Angeles Expands Industrial Storage amidst New Zoning and Emission Rules

Los Angeles is reimagining about 3,229 acres near its harbors—connecting communities like San Pedro and Wilmington—to boost transit, pedestrian areas, and clean industrial uses, aiming for a healthier environment.

Dining Dynamics Shift in California Amid Rising Fast Food Prices
Dining Dynamics Shift in California Amid Rising Fast Food Prices

This shift comes as fast food joints across California, like McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, and Pizza Hut, have bumped their prices by about 10% since last September.

Navigating the Bumps on the Road to Electric Vehicle Adoption
Navigating the Bumps on the Road to Electric Vehicle Adoption

As the U.S. pushes harder towards electric vehicles (EVs), several experts are pumping the brakes, voicing concerns over numerous challenges that could impede this transition.

High-Speed Rail to Connect Las Vegas and Los Angeles by 2028
High-Speed Rail to Connect Las Vegas and Los Angeles by 2028

Get ready for a new era of travel between Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area!

Insurance Companies Pull Back from California Market
Insurance Companies Pull Back from California Market

Two more insurance providers, Tokio Marine America Insurance Co. and Trans Pacific Insurance Co., are set to exit the California insurance scene.

California Fast Food Chains Raise Prices in Response to Minimum Wage Increase
California Fast Food Chains Raise Prices in Response to Minimum Wage Increase

Following California's new $20-an-hour minimum wage law that kicked in on April 1, fast food joints across the state have bumped up their menu prices.

Solar Advocacy Groups Take Their Fight to California's Highest Court
Solar Advocacy Groups Take Their Fight to California's Highest Court

Environmental organizations in California are gearing up for a significant legal battle as the state Supreme Court agrees to hear their case against recent adjustments to the solar compensation rules.

California's Minimum Wage Increase Effects Popular Fast Food Pizza Chain
California's Minimum Wage Increase Effects Popular Fast Food Pizza Chain

Recently, Mod Pizza closed five of its locations in California just before the state implemented a significant minimum wage hike for fast food workers.

California May Pioneer 'Right to Disconnect' Law for Off-Hour Work Messages
California May Pioneer 'Right to Disconnect' Law for Off-Hour Work Messages

California is on the verge of setting a precedent with a proposed law allowing workers to legally ignore their bosses' messages after work hours.

California's Minimum Wage Hike for Fast Food Workers Raises Concerns for School Cafeterias
California's Minimum Wage Hike for Fast Food Workers Raises Concerns for School Cafeterias

California's recent $20-per-hour minimum wage increase for fast food workers is causing a stir, particularly for public school districts.

California Fast-Food Workers' Wage Hike to $20 an Hour
California Fast-Food Workers' Wage Hike to $20 an Hour

In California, a significant new law has just kicked in, raising the minimum wage for fast-food workers to $20 an hour.

Big Sur Coast Roadway Collapse Leads to Closures and Convoy System
Big Sur Coast Roadway Collapse Leads to Closures and Convoy System

Over the weekend, a significant segment of California's Big Sur coastal route, Highway 1, dramatically fell into the ocean due to a cliff "slip out."

Where the Wealthy Retire: America's Richest Retirement Towns
Where the Wealthy Retire: America's Richest Retirement Towns

Looking for a plush spot to spend your retirement? Well, GoBankingRates.com just ranked the richest retirement towns in the U.S., and it's quite the list!

State Farm Ends Coverage for 72,000 Homes in California Amid Natural Disaster Risks and Inflation Concerns
State Farm Ends Coverage for 72,000 Homes in California Amid Natural Disaster Risks and Inflation Concerns

California's largest insurance company is discontinuing coverage for 72,000 homes statewide due to increased natural disaster risks and inflation.

Nikola Corporation Launches First HYLA High-Pressure Modular Refueling Station in SoCal
Nikola Corporation Launches First HYLA High-Pressure Modular Refueling Station in SoCal

Nikola Corporation (Nasdaq: NKLA) recently opened its first HYLA high-pressure modular refueling station in Southern California, marking a significant step in zero-emissions transportation.

California Judge Upholds AB5 in Landmark Decision
California Judge Upholds AB5 in Landmark Decision

In a significant ruling, a federal judge in California rejected a challenge against the state's independent contractor law, AB5, from the trucking industry.

Monaco Mogul's Carmel Property Spree Sparks Local Concern
Monaco Mogul's Carmel Property Spree Sparks Local Concern

A foreign billionaire's rapid acquisition of properties in Carmel, a picturesque coastal town, has sparked concern among locals.

Recent Layoffs Rock Freight and Logistics Sector Across California, Illinois, and Michigan
Recent Layoffs Rock Freight and Logistics Sector Across California, Illinois, and Michigan

The freight and logistics sector continues to face mass layoffs, with recent announcements in California, Illinois, and Michigan.

California Freight Forwarder Boateng Logistics Files for Bankruptcy, Leaving Industry Stakeholders Millions in Debt
California Freight Forwarder Boateng Logistics Files for Bankruptcy, Leaving Industry Stakeholders Millions in Debt

A California-based freight forwarder, Boateng Logistics, has filed for bankruptcy liquidation, leaving trucking, logistics, and factoring companies owed millions.

America's Top Trucking Bottlenecks Revealed
America's Top Trucking Bottlenecks Revealed

The intersection of Interstate 95 and State Route 4 in Lee, New Jersey remains the most congested trucking bottleneck, according to the American Transportation Research Institute's annual list.

California Braces for Potent Storm After Brief Weather Break
California Braces for Potent Storm After Brief Weather Break
Ohio Enacts Law Protecting Vehicle Choice Amid Emissions Regulations Debate
Ohio Enacts Law Protecting Vehicle Choice Amid Emissions Regulations Debate

In a move that challenges California's emissions regulations, Ohio is set to enact a law in March that prohibits state agencies from adopting California's vehicle emissions standards.

GM Sues San Francisco for Overcharging Taxes
GM Sues San Francisco for Overcharging Taxes

General Motors is suing San Francisco, alleging that the city improperly overcharged the company by more than $100 million in taxes over seven years, based on calculations that included its self-driving car subsidiary, Cruise.

El Niño-Fueled Winter Storm Threatens Southern California with Heavy Rain and Flooding
El Niño-Fueled Winter Storm Threatens Southern California with Heavy Rain and Flooding

Southern California is bracing for its first significant winter storm, fueled by an El Niño-influenced atmospheric river, which is expected to bring heavy rain and the risk of flooding, mudslides, and power outages.

California Braces for Stormy Second Half of December with Two Weather Systems Approaching
California Braces for Stormy Second Half of December with Two Weather Systems Approaching

The first half of December in California has been dry, but a shift is expected in the second half as two storm systems approach the coast.

Biden Administration Allocates $3 Billion in Federal Funds to Troubled California High-Speed Rail Project
Biden Administration Allocates $3 Billion in Federal Funds to Troubled California High-Speed Rail Project

The Biden administration is providing California with over $3 billion in federal funds for its high-speed rail project, which has faced extensive delays and budget overruns.

Stellantis and Ample Join Forces to Bring Quick-Swappable Batteries to City Cars
Stellantis and Ample Join Forces to Bring Quick-Swappable Batteries to City Cars

Stellantis, the owner of several car brands, is teaming up with Ample, a California-based startup, to introduce city cars with quick-swappable high-voltage batteries.

APEC Summit in San Francisco Put The City in a Global Spotlight
APEC Summit in San Francisco Put The City in a Global Spotlight

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco drew leaders and CEOs, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden, showcasing the city to the world.

Jennifer Joslyn
Previous

U.S. manufacturing orders in China fall 40%
Next

The Senate tackles the bipartisan Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act