Meetings

Charging Forward: A Conversation About Clean Energy & Justice

The Salton Sea region sits on enough lithium to produce nearly 400 million batteries. Rechristened “Lithium Valley,” the Salton Sea brings hope for battery manufacturing to transform the local economy and the entire auto fleet. This transformation raises all the issues of a “just transition” in one locale: what are the possibilities for economic and environmental transformation, how will the transformation affect local communities, and what can and should California and national leaders do to maximize the opportunity the region provides to the state and country? Base on his co-authored book, Charging Forward: Lithium Valley. Electric Vehicles. and a Just Future, Dr. Chris Benner will discuss the challenges and opportunities of private/public/community collaboration in efforts to develop the lithium industry in the region, which offers important insights and lessons for other regions throughout the country and world in the transition to renewable energy and clean transportation system.