Groups Defending Health and Environment File Appeal Challenging Hell’s Kitchen Lithium Project Ruling

Comite Civico del Valle and Earthworks filed an appeal on Friday, March 7, 2025, in California’s 4th District Court of Appeal, challenging the approval of the Controlled Thermal Resources’ Hell’s Kitchen Lithium Project. The project, near the Salton Sea in California’s Imperial Valley, has both potential benefits and risks for the community and environment, appellants say.

The two organizations allege that Imperial County violated the California Environmental Quality Act by approving a project relying on an Environmental Impact Report that failed to adequately analyze and mitigate impacts. These impacts included potential adverse impacts to air quality, the production of hazardous waste, and cumulative impacts to the water supply. They also allege the County failed to comply with legal requirements for tribal consultation and mitigation, as evidenced by the concerns raised by multiple tribal representatives.

“We want to see this project succeed so that communities can enjoy the new jobs and benefits that it can bring,” said Luis Olmedo, Executive Director for Comite Civico del Valle. “We are eager for Controlled Thermal Resources to stand by their word. They claim to want to protect public health, community benefits, tribal rights, and the environment. This appeal provides them another opportunity for them to do that.”

The Imperial County Superior Court issued its judgment on February 26, 2025 denying Comite Civico del Valle and Earthworks’ petition, which triggered the need for the appeal. “We are committed to staying the course until the Hell’s Kitchen project lives up to its promise and becomes part of a responsible and prosperous Lithium Valley,” said Olmedo.

According to the appellants, the project missed multiple opportunities to incorporate necessary mitigation measures, rushing through the Environmental Impact Report approval and administrative appeal. Any measures won through the lawsuit would go to benefit the environment and health of directly impacted communities in Imperial County.

Comite Civico del Valle and Earthworks have not sought an injunction to delay work. No meaningful construction has started yet on the project. 

The organizations are represented by environmental attorneys Jordan Sisson and Doug Carstens, managing partner at Carstens, Black & Minteer LLP.

“It’s more important than ever for California to stand by the laws that address the health of its residents and the environment. We won’t give up on defending the integrity of those protections. And we won’t let one corporation compromise Imperial Valley’s future,” said Jared Naimark, California Mining Organizer at Earthworks.

“As demand for lithium for electric car batteries and other technologies grows, communities need strong laws that require companies to act responsibly. A just transition to renewable energy can’t ignore the impact that mineral extraction has on people and the environment,” Naimark said.

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