Imperial County Leaders Advance Lithium Valley and Infrastructure Priorities in Washington, D.C.
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-Editorial
Imperial County’s Board of Supervisors, Peggy Price, Ryan Kelley, Jesus Escobar, and John Hawk, accompanied by County Executive Officer Dr. Kathleen Lang and Assistant County Executive Officer Bari Bean, traveled to Washington, DC to advance key federal priorities for the region and participate in the Benchmarks Conference, a leading international forum focused on the future of critical minerals and battery supply chains.
The delegation’s visit underscored Imperial County’s growing national significance as home to Lithium Valley, one of North America’s most promising hubs for geothermal energy production, domestic lithium extraction, and advanced manufacturing development. Through a series of strategic meetings with federal leaders and policymakers, County representatives advocated for investments and partnerships that support economic opportunity, infrastructure improvements, and long-term regional prosperity.
A key priority of the trip was strengthening cross-border commerce and improving the quality of life for Imperial Valley residents who rely on daily access through the Calexico East Port of Entry. County officials met with Mary Hyland, Deputy Executive Director for the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs at U.S. Customs and Border Protection headquarters, to discuss persistent border wait times and explore opportunities to expand staffing and services during peak morning hours. Reducing delays for workers and travelers remains a critical issue for the region’s economy and workforce, with improvements offering meaningful benefits to residents, businesses, and cross-border trade.
The delegation also met with Senator Alex Padilla, Senator Adam Schiff, and Congressman Raul Ruiz to advocate for federal support of several Imperial County priorities. Discussions focused on infrastructure funding needs essential to supporting current residents and accommodating future growth associated with Lithium Valley. County leaders highlighted the importance of investments in transportation networks, community facilities, roads and bridges, and other critical infrastructure necessary to ensure the region can successfully capitalize on emerging economic opportunities. The delegation also expressed appreciation for congressional support in identifying funding pathways for local initiatives, including improvements to veterans services, New River mitigation initiatives, and airport advancements.
In addition, County representatives met with leadership from the Bureau of Land Management, including Deputy Director Bill Groffy, to discuss the vast geothermal and critical mineral opportunities present within Imperial County. With approximately 64 percent of the County under federal ownership, collaboration with federal land management agencies is essential to unlocking the region’s economic potential. Conversations centered on the role that responsible geothermal development can play in advancing national energy security objectives while creating high-quality jobs and generating lasting economic benefits for local communities. County officials emphasized that Imperial County’s abundant geothermal resources provide a unique opportunity to produce renewable baseload energy while supporting domestic critical mineral supply chains that are increasingly important to the nation’s economic competitiveness and security.
The delegation also participated in the Benchmarks Conference, engaging with industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and international stakeholders focused on securing resilient and sustainable battery supply chains. The conference provided an opportunity to showcase Imperial County’s unique advantages, including world-class geothermal resources, one of the largest known lithium reserves in the United States, available industrial land, and a growing ecosystem of education and workforce development initiatives designed to support the industries of the future.
Imperial County’s presence in Washington, DC reflects the County’s ongoing commitment to proactive advocacy, strategic partnership development, and ensuring that local communities benefit from emerging economic opportunities. Through continued engagement with federal agencies, elected officials, and industry leaders, the County remains focused on advancing initiatives that improve quality of life for residents, strengthen regional infrastructure, support veterans and working families, and position Imperial County as a leader in America’s clean energy and critical minerals future.
