Friday, December 08, 2023

THE SALTON SEA MAY BE MAKING A COMEBACK ... OF SORTS

By Bob Walsh

 



About a century ago the Salton Sea was created in SoCal by a canal break.  For a long time it was as reasonably respectable resort venue.  However the lake has since pretty much disappeared. 

It turns out that there is a very significant amount of lithium present in the brine below the shallow lake.  Maybe 18 million metric tons according to the feds.  Lithium is a critical component in the batteries for modern electric cars plus other electric appliances, like lawn mowers, leaf blowers and weed whackers.  

There is also enough geothermal activity in the area to generate power.  I admit I didn't know that.  A current plant cranks out 400 megawatts and they believe they can get as much as 3,000 megawatts out of the area.   

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