Three Companies Working on New DLE Projects Around the Salton Sea
Berkshire Hathaway Energy, EnergySource, and Controlled Thermal
Barely a mile from the southern shore of the Salton Sea, an accidental lake deep in the California desert, three companies are working on new Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) projects.
The Salton Sea, which straddles the border of Imperial and Riverside counties, has been plagued by pollution and other environmental problems for decades. But it also has a potentially valuable resource: lithium, a key component in electric vehicle batteries.
Berkshire Hathaway Energy, EnergySource, and Controlled Thermal are all hoping to tap into that resource using DLE technology. DLE is a process that extracts lithium from brine, a salty liquid that is found in many geothermal reservoirs.
If successful, these projects could help to boost lithium production in the United States and reduce the country's reliance on imports. They could also create jobs and economic development in the Imperial Valley, one of the poorest regions in California.
However, there are also concerns about the environmental impact of DLE. Some experts worry that the process could lead to groundwater contamination and other problems.
The companies involved in these projects say they are committed to environmental protection. They say they will use the latest technology to minimize the impact of their operations.
The Salton Sea DLE projects are still in the early stages of development. But if they are successful, they could have a major impact on the lithium industry and the economy of the Imperial Valley.
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