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-Editorial
Standing on the edge of the Salton Sea today, it’s hard not to feel the momentum building across Imperial County. What began as a bold vision, to transform our region into a center of clean energy, critical mineral production, and advanced manufacturing, has reached an important new milestone: the release of the Draft Lithium Valley Specific Plan (LVSP) and the Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for public review and comment.
A Plan Worth Reading and Participating In
Released on December 30, 2025, these draft documents mark the next phase of intentional, transparent planning to guide how Lithium Valley will grow over the coming decades. The LVSP and PEIR lay out a comprehensive land use framework for the full 51,622-acre planning area and provide a program-level CEQA environmental review that analyzes impacts at a regional scale, covering infrastructure, water, traffic, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, and more, to support future projects under the Specific Plan.
From December 30, 2025 through March 2, 2026, residents, tribal governments, businesses, agencies, and community groups can review the documents online (https://imperialcounty.org/lvsppeir/) or in print and submit comments, giving everyone a chance to help shape this region’s future.
Why Lithium Valley Matters Now
Imperial County’s geothermal reservoirs, which have generated renewable energy for more than 40 years, also have an extraordinary resource: lithium-rich geothermal brine. Studies have confirmed this region contains one of the largest domestic lithium resources in the United States, positioning Imperial County as a place that can help strengthen America’s energy independence and supply chain resilience.
But this plan isn’t just about resource extraction, it’s about responsible, sustainable, and community-centered development. Lithium Valley builds on decades of energy production expertise and creates a coordinated vision that pairs economic development with strong environmental protections and long-term quality of life for Imperial County residents.
Anchored in Opportunity: Jobs, Workforce, and Training
One of the things that makes Lithium Valley different is its focus on real workforce pathways, not distant promises. The opportunities tied to this initiative span construction, operations, manufacturing, logistics, engineering, environmental science, and the many support services that help industries thrive.
To ensure local residents are positioned to benefit, the County has made workforce development and education a central pillar of the Lithium Valley strategy. That includes hands-on training and career certificates through programs like Imperial Valley College’s Lithium and Industrial Training (LIFT) initiative, alongside continued growth in higher education opportunities, including the San Diego State University STEM campus in Brawley.
These investments are about more than job placement; they are about creating a future where Imperial Valley residents can build long-term careers in high-growth industries without needing to leave the region to find opportunity.
A Business Climate Built for Growth
Lithium Valley is designed to support industry at every stage of the value chain, from energy and mineral production to manufacturing, logistics, and innovation-driven industries. Imperial County is uniquely positioned to attract companies looking for:
- Baseload geothermal energy generated locally
- Domestic supply of critical minerals with strong long-term potential
- Existing transmission infrastructure, rail access, and major highway connectivity
- Proximity to key markets across California, Arizona, and Mexico
- A growing workforce pipeline aligned with advanced industries
This is a rare combination, and it gives Imperial County the ability to compete not just regionally, but globally.
A Plan That Balances Growth With Stewardship
Large-scale development must be done the right way, and the Draft PEIR reflects that responsibility. The program-level analysis provides a transparent look at environmental considerations across the entire planning area, ensuring future development can move forward with clear standards, strong mitigation strategies, and long-term planning for infrastructure and community needs.
Just as importantly, Lithium Valley is being shaped through sustained public engagement. Imperial County has prioritized outreach, collaboration, and dialogue with residents, tribal partners, agencies, and stakeholders to ensure this effort reflects local values and protects what makes this region unique.
Where We Go From Here
The Draft LVSP and PEIR represent an open invitation: read, participate, and help shape the future of Imperial County. For those new to Lithium Valley, this moment is a powerful introduction. For those who have followed this effort from the beginning, it is proof that Imperial County is not just talking about opportunity, they are planning for it, building toward it, and creating the foundation to deliver it. Lithium Valley is more than a concept. It is a long-term strategy to grow jobs, expand education, strengthen communities, and help America lead in the industries that will define the next generation. The future is taking shape here, and the horizon has never looked more limitless.
