Salton Sea Archives

Labor dispute threatens the future of geothermal power and lithium extraction

July 9, 2026 8:36 PM NPG Content Share

Lynette Niebla IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – A tense, multi-layered contract dispute is unfolding in the Imperial Valley as newly unionized geothermal power generation workers at CalEnergy accuse their multi-billion dollar parent company of bad-faith bargaining and employee retaliation. The standoff puts front-line machinists and plant operators against BHE Renewables, a division of Berkshire Hathaway

Imperial County residents attend presentation on Lithium Valley Project

April 15, 2026 2:02 PM NPG Content Share

Jessamyn Dodd IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – A handful of residents gathered at Elks Lodge in Brawley to hear a presentation on Imperial County’s Lithium Valley Project. The presentation, hosted by Los Amigos de la Comunidad, touched on lithium uses for electric vehicle batteries, cellphones, and energy storage systems. They discussed job creation, new tax

Some Salton Sea residents skeptical new conservancy can improve environment after years of health issues

April 14, 2026 8:31 AM Daniella Lake

SALTON CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Governor Gavin Newsom has announced the creation of the Salton Sea Conservancy, which is meant to restore the habitat in the area and improve air quality. It’s the state’s first conservancy in 15 years. “For too long, communities around the Salton Sea have carried the burden of environmental challenges and

IID transitions leadership role from Salton Sea Authority to the state’s Salton Sea Conservancy

December 2, 2025 4:14 PM Jesus Reyes

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KESQ) – The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) announced its transition from the Salton Sea Authority to the State of California’s newly established Salton Sea Conservancy. IID officials said the transition in participation from the Salton Sea Authority to the Conservancy will strengthen alignment among state and federal agencies and facilitate project operations

Salton Sea: Toxic Reality – UCLA reports show gaps in gov. monitoring

October 22, 2025 5:56 PM Angela Chen

A new report by UCLA finds that conditions at the Salton Sea are worse than state data suggests. As morning anchor Angela Chen shows us, scientists are highlighting a critical shortcoming in the government’s monitoring of harmful emissions. Sara Renteria has lived in Mecca for 17 years and says that over time, the stink from

Salton Sea: Toxic Reality

September 15, 2025 3:32 PM Angela Chen, KESQ News Team

SALTON CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – An alarming report about toxic emissions at the Salton Sea. Many of you have experienced that rotten egg smell. Now, reports of more severe medical issues than previously thought from those living in the area. This as data proves pollution is worse than what’s being recorded. “When we speak with the

California breaks ground on expansion for Salton Sea habitat restoration project

October 15, 2024 10:37 AM Gavin Nguyen

A project aimed at restoring habitat surrounding the Salton Sea is expanding. The project, called the Species Habitat Conservation (SCH) Project, created a number of ponds and wetlands, which are important habitats for fish and birds. These wetlands also help reduce dust emissions, improving air quality surrounding the Salton Sea. The toxic dust that is

IID finalizes landmark agreement to raise Lake Mead by 10+ feet

September 26, 2024 4:49 PM Jesus Reyes

The Imperial Irrigation District finalized a landmark conservation agreement with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation that will build 10-12 feet of elevation at Lake Mead and conserve up to 700,000 acre-feet of water for the Colorado River. IID officials added that the agreement also unlocks a full federal investment of $250 million in Salton Sea

White Gold Rush: Companies look to 2026 for mass lithium production near Salton Sea

September 5, 2024 7:42 AM Angela Chen

Things are moving fast in Lithium Valley, near the Salton Sea. If you drive along Highway 111 all the way down to the southern end of the Salton Sea, you’ll see your usual puffs of white steam, chugging up from the geothermal plants. But below those clouds, underneath these plants, some ground-breaking developments in the

‘Lithium Valley Clean Tech Hub Consortium’ receives $500K grant

October 23, 2023 9:04 PM Jesus Reyes

The Economic Development Administration selected the Lithium Valley Clean Tech Hub Consortium as one of its grant recipients for the tech hub program. The grant is $500,000. Several different federal agencies will soon be coming together to hash out the details for what the tech hub will look like. Valley Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz says

New sensor in the Salton Sea monitors contaminants that cause unpleasant odors

October 23, 2023 8:54 PM KESQ News Team

A new sensor installed above the Salton Sea will help researchers study the sea’s impact on air quality in the Coachella Valley. Local non-profit “Alianza Coachella Valley” partnered with the East Valley community and academic institutions – -including UCLA — to deploy this air quality sensor directly above the water. The project is meant to

Survey work begins on Salton Sea restoration project

October 20, 2023 1:04 AM Marco Revuelta, KESQ News Team

Engineers are busy studying the soil near the Salton Sea. This is where they’re planning on transforming more than 150 acres into a modern nature habitat. “This is one of the biggest projects, probably the biggest project, the only project that we have initiated here in the north end of the lake which is in

Insider Blog: An update on California’s climate legislation this session

September 19, 2023 6:36 PM Spencer Blum

As California’s 2023 legislative session comes to a close, there are a number of bills relating to climate legislation which have passed and are awaiting the governor’s signature to become law. One of the bills which has been talked about the most is the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act. This bill would require corporations with

Federal leaders talk to community near the Salton Sea about lithium extraction

August 30, 2023 9:19 PM KESQ News Team

Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz toured the Salton Sea area along with Arizona Congressman Raul Grijalva. Grijalva is currently the ranking member of the House Committee of Natural Resources. The committee has jurisdiction over bodies of water and natural resources such as lithium. The Salton Sea alone has the estimated potential to provide 40 percent of

How the Salton Sea may be delaying California’s next big earthquake

June 28, 2023 6:36 AM Angela Chen

For years, environmental and medical leaders have talked about the dangers of the Salton Sea drying up. The receding shoreline exposes toxic playa, creating harmful air quality that can spread to the surrounding Coachella Valley and Imperial Valley areas. But now, a new study from UC San Diego Scripps and San Diego State University is

Ford to buy lithium for EV batteries from EnergySource facilities at Salton Sea

May 25, 2023 4:09 PM Jesus Reyes

The Ford Motor Company and EnergySource Minerals (ESM) reached an agreement for lithium produced at facilities located at the Salton Sea. ESM will supply Ford with lithium hydroxide produced at ESM’s Project ATLiS™, located in Imperial Valley. Project ATLiS is expected to be operational in 2025, the company announced. As highlighted in News Channel 3

States reach deal to protect Colorado River

May 22, 2023 1:46 PM Jennifer Franco

The three Colorado River lower basin states, California, Arizona, and Nevada, have reached a landmark deal on water cuts to conserve water from the river amid continuing drought concerns. The U.S. Department of the Interior made the announcement in a press release today. The Colorado River system provides water to more than 40 million people

Gov. Newsom visits Salton Sea for update on lithium production

March 19, 2023 8:40 PM Jake Ingrassia, Crystal Jimenez, Marian Bouchot

Governor Gavin Newsom joined local leaders Monday morning for a visit to Imperial Valley. Newsom visited a Geothermal Plant near the beleaguered Salton Sea to get an update on progress being made toward lithium production. “We’re witnessing another moment in history with the creation of California Silicon Valley right here,” Newsom said. Watch his full

Bill to create state Salton Sea Conservancy introduced in California Senate

February 15, 2023 2:45 PM Jesus Reyes

A bill to establish a new state conservancy at the beleaguered Salton Sea was introduced in the California Senate on Wednesday by State Sen. Steve Padilla (D-San Diego). Senate Bill 583 would manage projects to restore habitat, create recreational opportunities and minimize windblown dust in the lake, which is the largest in California. Check Out

General Motors awards $500K grant for Salton Sea restoration efforts

November 29, 2022 8:46 PM Jesus Reyes

General Motors has awarded Audubon California a $500,000 grant to help support its work restoring the beleaguered Salton Sea. This Week: Bureau of Reclamation announces $250M federal investment at the Salton Sea The National Audubon Society is a non-profit that protects birds and their habitats. The organization has a California chapter that focuses on the

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