Media Contact:
Roy Dorantes, roydorantes@ccvhealth.org
Claire Hermann, chermann@earthworksaction.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAN DIEGO, CA – On Thursday, California’s Fourth District Court of Appeal heard oral arguments in the appeal by Comité Cívico del Valle (CCV) and Earthworks concerning Imperial County’s approval of the Hell’s Kitchen Lithium Project in the Salton Sea region.
Attorneys representing CCV and Earthworks reinforced a principle both organizations have consistently supported: California’s transition to a clean energy economy should be accompanied by thorough environmental review, meaningful public participation, and informed public decision-making.
The hearing represented an important step in the appellate process. The Court did not issue a decision following oral arguments and is expected to release a written opinion after completing its deliberations.
The appeal presents important questions regarding the application of the California Environmental Quality Act to one of California’s most significant mineral development projects and reflects the growing importance of ensuring that the clean energy transition advances with transparency, accountability, and public confidence.
As California pursues domestic production of lithium, Imperial Valley is expected to play a central role in supplying the materials needed for electric vehicles, battery storage, and renewable energy technologies. The outcome of this case will inform how this development moves forward in one of the nation’s most important clean energy regions. It has the potential to impact the future of the entire area in terms of economic and health factors.
Luis Olmedo, Executive Director of Comité Cívico del Valle said, “Imperial Valley stands at the forefront of America’s clean energy future and CCV supports Lithium Valley because it has the potential to create good jobs and strengthen our regional economy. But successful development requires more than economic opportunity. It requires a science-based planning process, meaningful community engagement, and the public’s trust.” Olmedo further added, “We are not opposed to lithium development, we simply believe it must be done responsibly. Imperial Valley should become a national model for how minerals can be developed in a way that creates lasting economic opportunity while protecting public health, natural resources, tribal cultural heritage, and the quality of life of the communities that will host these projects.”
Jared Naimark, Western Mining Senior Manager at Earthworks, said, “California has an opportunity to demonstrate how climate leadership and corporate accountability move forward together. Communities, tribal governments, public agencies, and project developers all need trustworthy information in order to make good decisions. A strong environmental review ensures lithium extraction is accompanied by strong protections for clean air and water.”
CEQA exists to ensure that local governments carefully evaluate significant environmental impacts, disclose those findings to the public, and consider feasible measures to avoid or reduce those impacts before approving major development projects. These requirements help strengthen informed decision-making, increase transparency and build lasting public confidence in projects that will affect communities for generations.
The appeal before the Court asks whether Imperial County’s Environmental Impact Report adequately evaluated issues including long-term water resources, cumulative environmental impacts, air quality, and tribal cultural resources before approving the Hell’s Kitchen project. Both organizations believe that rigorous environmental review benefits communities, government agencies, and project developers alike by reducing uncertainty, improving decision-making, and strengthening confidence in California’s permitting process.
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About Comité Cívico del Valle
Comité Cívico del Valle (CCV) is a nonprofit environmental justice organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in Imperial Valley through community engagement, public education, environmental health, civic participation, and equitable public policy. Guided by its longstanding belief that informed people build healthy communities, CCV works to ensure that residents have meaningful opportunities to participate in the decisions that shape the region’s future.
About Earthworks
Earthworks is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting communities and the environment from the adverse impacts of mineral and energy development while advancing the responsible sourcing of the minerals needed to support the global clean energy transition.