Imperial County Lithium Valley Specific Plan

In 2022, California enacted Senate Bill 125 to authorize the development of lithium resources within the Salton Sea Known Geothermal Resource Area, known as Lithium Valley, in Imperial County. This legislative initiative established the Lithium Valley Specific Plan (LVSP) as the foundational regulatory framework to guide land use, zoning, and economic development around the southeastern edge of the Salton Sea. The LVSP redefines permissible land uses to include green industrial activities such as geothermal energy production and lithium mineral extraction, alongside manufacturing of lithium-based batteries, logistics, renewable energy installations, solar development, playa restoration, floodplain management, and conservation zones, all under an agricultural overlay. The plan incorporates amendments to the County’s General Plan and Zoning Ordinance to align with a sustainable, localized economic model that prioritizes job creation and environmental stewardship. Funding for the plan’s implementation, including the preparation of a Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR), comes from a newly adopted lithium excise tax, which also supports Salton Sea restoration and community investments. The environmental and land use evaluation of the proposed development relies on the California Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site Assessment (LESA) Model to determine the significance of converting agricultural land. This model weighs land capability and soil quality at 50% and site-specific factors such as project size, water availability, and proximity to protected or agricultural lands at the remaining 50%. Projects scoring above 60 on the LESA scale are considered environmentally significant, triggering deeper CEQA review. While the plan does not function as a traditional procurement contract, regulatory compliance is enforced through state and county oversight, with Imperial County serving as the lead agency for environmental review for projects under 50 MW, and the California Energy Commission overseeing larger developments. Hazardous materials handling during construction and operations must comply with DOT and California hazardous waste regulations, including proper labeling, manifesting, and safety documentation per 49 CFR 172 and CCR Title 13. Inspection and acceptance responsibilities rest with governmental agencies, not contractors, with quality standards derived from the California Building Code, Cal/OSHA regulations, and NPDES stormwater permits. The project is strategically positioned to advance national renewable energy goals by enabling domestic production of critical minerals essential for modern battery technologies, while simultaneously revitalizing the ecological and economic health of the Imperial Valley region.