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-Editorial
As the Imperial Valley Energy Summit returned for another year, leaders from government, industry, and the community gathered to reflect on how far the region has come and where it is headed in the global clean energy race.
Timothy Kelley, President of the Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation (IVEDC), said the event has evolved from early conversations about solar energy to showcasing a full ecosystem of clean technologies that position Imperial Valley as a major player in California’s energy future.
“We’ve made a lot of progress from the first year when we were just talking about solar development and possibly bringing in new geothermal technologies,” Kelley said. “Now we’re leading the country in solar, growing geothermal capacity, exploring mineral extraction, and creating synergies with manufacturing and ag-tech. It’s all coming together.”
Kelley said the summit’s primary goal is to demonstrate that Imperial Valley is not just talking about clean energy — it’s delivering results.
“The purpose of this conference is to bring investors here, show them that we can get things done, and show them that the community supports these industries,” he said. “We’re willing to work with them, and we have the government support to do that.”
This year’s summit includes a two-day program. The first day focuses on industrial development, while the second emphasizes community development. Kelley said both aspects ensure the region’s long-term economic sustainability.
“Although we’ve had some challenges and setbacks recently, we’re looking at how we can continue to diversify the economy and make these new industries come to fruition,” Kelley said. “The crossover between industries — energy, agriculture, and manufacturing — shows how they can support each other in building a more resilient future.”
According to Kelley, all cities in Imperial County were invited to participate, with most confirming their involvement. A major feature of the summit is connecting cities with technical assistance, funding resources, and capacity-building tools — eliminating the need for long-distance travel to access training and program support.
“This summit started in 2008, and we’ve grown by leaps and bounds,” Kelley added. “We don’t focus on the numbers. We focus on the quality of the presentations — and we’ve achieved that. We’ve been sold out every year.”
Imperial County Supervisor John Hawk underscored the growing importance of Lithium Valley as a future economic engine during remarks at the IVEDC Energy Summit. “Lithium Valley is a real thing—it’s a true economic driver in our county,” Hawk said, addressing federal, state, and local leaders gathered at Imperial Valley College.
A third-generation farmer, Hawk reflected on the region’s agricultural roots and current struggles, citing the recent loss of the sugar beet crop—a blow he estimated at over $250 million. “Agriculture has been a driver in this county for over 120 years, but now we must look at new sources of economic strength,” he said.
Hawk emphasized the need to embrace clean energy industries such as lithium, geothermal, and solar to ensure long-term sustainability. He also highlighted recent conversations in Washington, D.C., where national leaders, including Senator Tom Cotton, acknowledged Lithium Valley’s strategic importance. “We’re ready for investors. We have our specific plan, our programmatic environmental impact report, and companies already doing business here. We’re ready to roll.”
About those “social justice” groups that oppose Lithium Development, Hawk said:
“We have environmental justice groups filing lawsuits that are slowing progress and stopping job creation efforts, including what Imperial Valley College is trying to build,” said Supervisor John Hawk. “We’re committed to resolving those legal challenges and moving forward—this region is on the brink of something great, and we need to make sure it happens.”
Efrain Silva, Dean of Economic and Workforce Development at Imperial Valley College, said the Energy Summit is arriving at a critical time as the region prepares for its role in the future of lithium production and clean energy careers.
“I expect a full house tomorrow and a very powerful agenda,” Silva said. “They’re talking about things that are relevant to Imperial County, and it’s all about getting ready for lithium. While development hasn’t happened at the scale we hoped for yet, the potential is still there — and this summit helps us stay in touch with where things stand.”
Silva highlighted the importance of education and workforce training to match the needs of emerging industries.
“As dean, my job was to create new programs for lithium — and that’s what we’ve done,” Silva said. “Two years ago we launched our plant operator program. Last year, our chemical technician program. This year, we’re starting an instrumentation technician program. And by fall 2027, we’ll launch our bachelor’s degree in industrial automation. IVC has been ready for lithium companies for a long time — now we’re just waiting for them to catch up to us.”
Reflecting on the event’s importance, Silva added, “This summit is always a great space to learn from presenters, reconnect with industry leaders, and see where the opportunities lie. The reception tonight had a great turnout, and I’m looking forward to exciting and informative days ahead.”
As stakeholders gathered for the Imperial Valley Energy Summit, longtime regional planner Brian Mooney said that while Lithium Valley has faced delays and setbacks, the master planning effort is very much alive — and moving forward with a clear goal in sight.
“Large projects like this always face challenges, but we’re working through them,” said Mooney, Principal at Rick Engineering Company. “We’ve got a great support team from the County of Imperial — Barry Damron and Rebecca Terrazas-Baxter are doing a fantastic job — and I’m very excited about where we’re headed. I’m confident we’re going to achieve our goal.”
Mooney, who oversees the urban planning and environmental practice for Rick Engineering across the Western United States, has been a key player in Imperial County’s renewable energy evolution for decades. “I’ve worked out here in Imperial Valley for a long time,” he said. “Back in the 1990s, I developed the county’s renewable energy element and then the renewable energy and transmission element. More recently, three years ago, I was retained to do the master plan for Lithium Valley on 52,000 acres at the Salton Sea.”
While excitement around Lithium Valley has been tempered by slower-than-expected progress, Mooney emphasized the long view. “Yes, the momentum has had its ups and downs. But that’s to be expected in projects of this scale,” he said. “The specific plan has been released and is available for public review. Our goal is to move toward public hearings in 2025 and get the plan in front of the Board of Supervisors sometime in the fall.”
Mooney acknowledged that more roadblocks could still arise, but remained optimistic. “Could there be another trip here and there? Sure. But ultimately, we’re running the race. We’ve laid the groundwork and we’re making progress,” he said.
Mooney’s continued involvement with the Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation and regional partners underscores the collaborative effort needed to realize Lithium Valley’s full potential.
“We’re excited about the opportunities here,” he said. “This plan represents decades of vision, and now we’re seeing it take shape.”
Daniel Machein, a representative of IBEW Local 569, said that Imperial Valley’s clean energy transition must prioritize local workers — and that unions like his are already laying the groundwork to ensure the community directly benefits.
“One of the things we do is work to get agreements with the companies coming in, so there’s a real possibility that the people who live here get those jobs,” Machein said. “Through the union, we have apprenticeship programs — that’s how I was trained, and that’s how we’re training the next generation of electricians.”
Machein emphasized that access to training is critical. “We have a satellite office right here in Imperial County,” he said. “That means apprentices don’t have to go to San Diego to get their education. They can train right here — and they get the same instruction and certifications.”
With geothermal and lithium development gaining traction in the region, Machein said unions are vital in connecting major projects with skilled local labor. “Our work is about more than just construction — it’s about creating opportunity and keeping prosperity in our communities,” he said.
Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez voiced strong support for Imperial County’s role in California’s clean energy future during the IVEDC Energy Summit. “We submitted two bills—AB 1031 and AB 1016—that will directly impact Imperial County, the 36th Assembly District, and potentially the entire state,” Gonzalez said. “We need to make this region attractive for developers and business owners so we can lower our 17% unemployment rate and create jobs that last for generations.”
Gonzalez noted the enthusiastic response from industry leaders during the summit. “I received a lot of positive feedback and interest from businesses looking to come to the Imperial Valley,” he said. “Now, we must continue showing them that we are a collaborative region ready to support their success.”