The Lithium Boom in the Great Basin Desert: Permitting, Planning, and Observations from On the Ground

The energy transition minerals (ETMs) boom is on in the Great Basin of Nevada and Utah. Driven by surging demand for electric vehicles and battery storage, lithium has become the chief element fueling this boom. With over 100 lithium mining projects in some form of development, the dramatic expansion of this industry could forever change the communities and ecosystems of the Great Basin. The Great Basin is both the driest region in the country and one of the most biodiverse; as a result concerns over water use with these projects have caused conflict and project delays. The Center for Biological Diversity has been a leading actor pushing back against inappropriate mining projects which could unduly harm the environment, while simultaneously urging greater planning and analysis at a high level, before projects undergo permitting. Planning has been successful at reducing conflict over other energy transition industries, in particular solar energy development in the California desert. This talk will outline the current status of the lithium boom in the Great Basin, examine several case studies where inappropriate siting has led to conflict and litigation, and suggest a path forward for comprehensive ETM planning to reduce conflict and ultimately speed up the carbon-free energy transition.