Senator Padilla’s Legislation Establishing Lithium Battery Production Council Passes Senate Energy
SACRAMENTO – Today, the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee passed Senate Bill 1309, authored by Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego). The bill directs the California Energy Commission (CEC), in consultation with other state agencies, to establish a Lithium Battery Production Council to conduct an economic analysis on workforce development needs, infrastructure needs, sewage and wastewater treatment, and housing needs for lithium battery production.
Imperial County’s Lithium Valley presents an enormous economic opportunity for Californians. The Salton Sea has one of the largest reserves of lithium in the world, which could fulfill over one-third of the global demand for lithium. In 2023, a new report by Lawrence Berkeley National Lab estimated the deposits held more lithium than previously estimated, enough to support over 375 million batteries for electric vehicles – more than the total number of vehicles currently on U.S. roads. Yet the region surrounding these vast lithium deposits has critical infrastructure gaps, including a lack of bridges and roads a lack of communication infrastructure, or even the housing, water, and sewage infrastructure necessary of supporting a substantial workforce.
“California seeks to power the future by producing lithium in a more sustainable and environmentally safer way than nearly anywhere else in the world,” said Senator Padilla. “But, it is critical we have a comprehensive strategy that prepares our communities to sustain the workforce and logistical demands necessary of supporting a global industry. This opportunity has the ability to change the economic destiny of a historically exploited community – we cannot squander this chance.”
SB 1309 would direct the California Energy Commission (CEC), in consultation with other state agencies, including the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz) and the California Workforce Development Board, to establish a Lithium Battery Production Council to conduct an economic analysis on workforce development needs, infrastructure needs, sewage and wastewater treatment, and housing needs for lithium battery production.
SB 1309 passed from the Committee with bipartisan support by a vote of 15 to 1. The bill now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
###
Steve Padilla represents the 18th Senate District, which includes the communities of Chula Vista, the Coachella Valley, Imperial Beach, the Imperial Valley, National City, and San Diego. Prior to his election to the Senate in 2022, Senator Padilla was the first person of color ever elected to city office in Chula Vista, the first Latino Mayor, and the first openly LGBT person to serve or be elected to city office. Website of Senator Steve Padilla: https://sd18.senate.ca.gov/