Generated by All in One SEO Pro v5.0.0.1, this is an llms-full.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Valle Unido No More Empty Promises ## Posts ### [Ending the Cycle of Resource Extraction: Valle Unido Coalition Charts a Pathway Forward to a Community-Centered Lithium Valley](https://valleunido.org/2024/12/02/ending-the-cycle-of-resource-extraction-valle-unido-coalition-charts-a-pathway-forward-to-a-community-centered-lithium-valley/) **Published:** December 2, 2024 **Author:** admin **Content:** #### *Community, labor, and environmental groups call on Lithium companies to commit to good jobs and a healthy environment for Imperial Valley residents* December 2, 2024 CALIPATRIA, CA.–*Valle Unido Por Beneficios Comunitarios* (Valle Unido), a new coalition of community, labor, and environmental groups, calls on companies pursuing lithium extraction to make binding commitments for a Lithium Valley that guarantees good local jobs, protections against environmental harms, and respect for Indigenous rights. Valle Unido will introduce their platform at a press conference on Monday, December 2 at 4:00pm, at Imperial Valley Equity & Justice’s office, at 150 W. Main Street, Calipatria. “Time and time again, from mining, to commercial developments, to solar projects, we roll out the red carpet for investors to cultivate our labor and land with public subsidies and tax breaks, to see only low-wage jobs and profits from these developments leave our community,” said Daniela Flores, Executive Organizer of Imperial Valley Equity & Justice (IVEJ). “With Lithium Valley, we want to break the century-long cycle of extractive economic development that has impoverished our families, sickened our bodies, and polluted our air and water.” Valle Unido includes IVEJ, Comite Civico del Valle (CCV), Jobs to Move America (JMA), United Auto Workers Region 6 (UAW), Earthworks, the Becoming Project, and the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties. The coalition came together around the vision of a community-centered model for an equitable green energy transition benefiting residents while minimizing environmental harm. “Companies that want to extract lithium with our public funds must commit to creating local, high road jobs,” said Mike Miller, Director of UAW Region 6. “The transition to electric vehicles is an opportunity to raise standards for workers throughout the supply chain. Without commitments from companies to invest in their workers, this opportunity will be squandered.” Demand for lithium, used in electric vehicle batteries, is rising as part of the growing transition away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy. To boost lithium extraction, state and federal agencies have awarded a combined $390.5M in tax credits and subsidies to companies in Imperial County. Meanwhile, lithium development in the Imperial Valley occurs in the backdrop of chronic unemployment rate near 20% and environmental crises, such as degraded air quality. “The country needs the resources that lie beneath our Salton Sea to power an energy transition,” explained Christian Torres, CCV’s Director of Climate Equity and Resilience; “But as our community plays this central role, we cannot be left behind. Our long-term problems of unemployment, poor air quality, disinvestment in public health, and carelessness with tribal resources, must be addressed. We cannot be a sacrificial zone to the green economy’s need for lithium.” Valle Unido calls for legally-binding commitments like Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) to center community needs, ensuring they are not left behind by the lithium industry. CBAs are legally enforceable agreements between private companies and coalitions of community groups. These agreements can ensure a wide range of high-road job standards, environmental mitigations, and equity measures. “With CBAs, we can work together to strike the right balance for community prosperity and environmental protection,” says Jacob Rodriguez, a native of Imperial County and an organizer with JMA. Without legally binding commitments and protections, new developments can fail to improve and even worsen the Valley’s chronic economic and environmental issues. We call on the lithium industry to commit to legally-binding agreements with our coalition.” Find out more on [ValleUnido.org](http://valleunido.org/) **About** [**Imperial Valley Equity & Justice Coalition**](http://ivequityjustice.org/)Imperial Valley Equity and Justice, based out of Calexico and Calipatria, is a progressive, community power-building organization formed to advocate and organize for health equity, economic, social, and environmental justice, and civic engagement. IVEJ’s vision is for an Imperial Valley where families can live, work, dream, and thrive. IVEJ has spent the past few years spreading information to residents about the lithium developments in the region and is actively working to secure community benefits. **About** [**Comite Civico del Valle**](https://ccvhealth.org/) “Informed people build healthy communities”, Comite Civico del Valle (CCV) was founded on this principle and continues to incorporate this mission statement in all partnerships, research studies, and civic engagements initiated or comprised by our organization. CCV’s extensive background and accomplishments date back to our grassroots origins in 1987. In over three decades of serving the communities of Imperial Valley, CCV now serves various California communities through collaborative efforts with other established Environmental Justice organizations and in partnership with researchers, academia, and government agencies. **About** [**Earthworks**](https://earthworks.org/) Since 1988, Earthworks has helped communities secure protections of their health, land, water, and air from extractive industries. Earthworks is the only national organization in the U.S. to focus exclusively on preventing the destructive impacts of the extraction of oil, gas, and minerals. **About the** [**UAW Region 6**](https://www.uawregion6.org/)United Auto Workers (UAW) Region 6 is the region of over 120,000 active and retired UAW members in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawai’i, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington, organizing for a just and sustainable future for all. Nationally, UAW represents over 1,000,000 active and retired members and is the union for the American automotive electric vehicle industries. **About** [**Jobs to Move America**](https://jobstomoveamerica.org/) Jobs to Move America is a strategic organizing and policy center that works to transform public spending and corporate behavior using a comprehensive approach that is rooted in racial and economic justice. We seek to advance a fair and prosperous economy with good jobs and healthier communities for all. **About the** [**ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties** ](https://www.aclu-sdic.org/) The American Civil Liberties Union of San Diego & Imperial Counties (ACLU-SDIC) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit civil rights organization working to advance equity, freedom and justice through community engagement, policy advocacy and impact litigation. With offices in San Diego and El Centro, the ACLU-SDIC is one of 54 ACLU affiliates in the United States, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico that works to defend and preserve the individual rights and freedoms guaranteed by the United States Constitution and U.S. laws. **About the** [**Becoming Project**](https://www.becomingprojectinc.org/) The Becoming Project, founded in 2019, is dedicated to removing barriers to success for homeless and low-income communities through direct services in housing, hygiene, financial resources, education, and social justice. **Categories:** Press Releases --- ## Pages ### [Home](https://valleunido.org/) **Published:** July 23, 2025 **Author:** admin **Content:** --- # No More Empty Promises Valley United for Community Benefits is a coalition of residents, community-based organizations, unions, and environmental justice advocates fighting for a clean environment, healthy communities, and good, family-sustaining jobs in California's "Lithium Valley." ## For far too long, the Imperial Valley has been a site of extraction of our resources: our crops, our land, our water & our people. Our coalition believes that it is time to ensure that the families and workers of the Imperial Valley get their fair share and are protected from the environmental impacts of development. We aim to empower local residents to be active participants in Imperial County's growing green industries. Valle Unido is committed to: - Securing Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) with the major companies in our region as a way for local residents to participate in shared decision-making, generate safe and family-sustaining jobs, protect workers' rights and the environment, and provide opportunities for those historically excluded - Ensuring the highest environmental mitigation measures in projects and developments in the region - Standing in solidarity with those fighting for social, economic, and racial justice ![Image](https://valleunido.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/d2726a_a4cc07312743438e9698ef84c4fe6eefmv2.avif) ![Image](https://valleunido.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/d2726a_b048f03b9edb40b6bb9c243f74052172mv2.avif) ![Image](https://valleunido.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/d2726a_66dbd913f15f45869642f6741b457782mv2.avif) ![Image](https://valleunido.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/d2726a_fa2cd325e2a348c18d19bcce83efb932mv2.avif) ![Image](https://valleunido.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/d2726a_23ef3243fb2d4d6093b1293c01e8bea3mv2.avif) ![Image](https://valleunido.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-31-at-4.00.20-PM.png) ###### What is ## 'Lithium Valley'? County is poised to become the epicenter of the American lithium extraction industry. Researchers from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory estimate that there are 2,600,000 metric tons of lithium available in the geothermal reservoir below Imperial County. **That’s enough to power between 300,000,000—600,000,000 electric vehicles.** Three companies are planning to extract lithium in Imperial County. These developments could bring high-paying jobs and economic opportunities to Imperial County residents. But they will also bring environmental risks and there is no guarantee that future jobs will be good jobs or accessible to our residents. *That is why Valle Unido por Beneficios Comunitarios is coming together to **unite Imperial County residents behind a platform of good jobs and environmental protections. We are demanding that the lithium extraction companies commit in writing to maximizing the public benefit of their investments.*** ## Our Coalition Partners ![Image](https://valleunido.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IVEJ.png)Formed during the peak of COVID-19 in one of California's hardest-hit counties, the **Imperial Valley Equity and Justice (IVEJ)** empowers Latinx communities by addressing health and social inequities, fostering leadership, and advancing justice and equity. ![Image](https://valleunido.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/JMA-Logo-scaled.png)**Jobs to Move America** **(JMA)** is a policy center advancing racial and economic justice by transforming public spending and corporate behavior to create good jobs and healthier communities. ![Image](https://valleunido.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/EW-Logo.png)Since 1988, **Earthworks** has helped communities secure protections of their health, land, water, and air from extractive industries. They are the only national organization in the U.S. to focus exclusively on preventing the destructive impacts of the extraction of oil, gas, and minerals. ![Image](https://valleunido.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/UAW6-Logo.png)**United Auto Workers (UAW) Region 6** is the region of over 120,000 active and retired UAW members in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawai'i, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington, organizing for a just and sustainable future for all. Nationally, UAW represents over 1,000,000 active and retired members and is the union for the American automotive electric vehicle industries. ![Image](https://valleunido.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/ACLU-SDIC-Logo.png)The **American Civil Liberties Union of San Diego & Imperial Counties** **(ACLU-SDIC)** is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit civil rights organization working to advance equity, freedom and justice through community engagement, policy advocacy and impact litigation. One of 54 ACLU affiliates in the United States that works to defend and preserve the individual rights and freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and laws. ## Taxpayers have given a combined $390,500,000 in tax credits and subsidies to three companies to extract lithium across nearly 53,000 acres of land in Imperial County. What government officials and business groups are calling “Lithium Valley” continues to follow a long pattern of one-sided extraction in our region where our residents are left with poor or unsafe working conditions, a devastated environment, and little to no concrete commitments to improving the lives of working people. **Imperial Valley isn’t just a resource—it’s our home.** Our coalition works to ensure that our communities and residents are equal partners at the table, not to be overlooked or taken advantage of in our own backyard. **Valle Unido wants to ensure that the community is a part in shaping Lithium Valley.** We believe that this multi-billion dollar industry, which is subsidized with our tax dollars, must give Imperial Valley residents a level of shared decision-making, produce tangible community benefits, and that both the people and environment are protected. ## We call on Lithium Valley companies to make the following commitments: ### Not a sacrifice zone: A healthy environment for Valley residents We want to ensure families have access to clean water and farmworkers have the ability to earn a living. As a baseline, companies must commit to strong mitigation measures to protect the people and the environment of Imperial Valley. Lithium and other “green” developments, if not done right, can negatively impact our environment. Read More ### Local-first, equitable hiring & employment practices Lithium Valley companies must commit to guaranteeing employment opportunities for vulnerable, disadvantaged and historically excluded communities in Imperial Valley. Over the course of their employment, workers should have opportunities for ongoing training and development, to hone their skills in a highly technical workplace. ### Transparency & accountability Lithium Valley companies must be transparent and accountable for their workforce development, equity, labor, environmental health and safety, and community commitments. To ensure compliance with all these commitments, Lithium Valley companies’ reporting should be made publicly accessible with robust translation and interpretation services. Read More ### Respect for the rights of indigenous peoples and protection of Tribal Cultural Resources Respect the right to Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) including the right to meaningful dialogue and the right to say “yes,” “no,” or “yes with conditions” to a project, and to revoke consent at any time for lithium projects that impact the resources and territories of Indigenous peoples. Fully analyze, avoid where possible, and mitigate impacts to tribal cultural resources such as the Southeast Lake Cahuilla Active Volcanic Cultural District. ![Image](https://valleunido.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/square-scaled.jpg) ### Safe, high road jobs with family-sustaining wages & benefits Lithium Valley companies have a responsibility to offer safe, high road quality jobs with family-sustaining wages and comprehensive benefits to local workers, promoting economic growth that enables Imperial Valley communities to benefit from their operations. A safe, high road job is one in which workers have a voice in speaking collectively about their working conditions without fear of retaliation. ### Diverse, equitable & inclusive workforce with an accessible pipeline In order to meet local and equitable hiring goals, Lithium Valley companies must support the creation of a workforce development pipeline that intentionally targets our most disadvantaged residents and historically excluded communities. Read More ## The Lithium Companies - BHE Renewables - Controlled Thermal Resources - EnergySource Minerals Berkshire Hathaway Renewables (BHER) currently operates ten geothermal power plants in Imperial County. These plants produce a total of 345 megawatts of power (an average of 34.5 megawatts each), which is enough to power approximately 300,000 homes. The company is currently seeking permits from the California Energy Commission (CEC) to build three new geothermal power plants in the area. These power plants will produce a total of 401 megawatts of power, meaning they will more-than-double the company’s existing production capacity. BHER is developing technology to extract lithium from its power plants. In 2019, a high level executive said that lithium produced this way will be competitive with the cheapest lithium currently on the market and pointed out that when lithium is extracted from geothermal power, ‘the lithium is worth five times the value of the power.’ The company estimates they could extract up to 90,000 tons per year of lithium worth up to $1,500,000,000. Controlled Thermal Resources (CTR) is a company founded in Australia that is seeking to build and extract lithium from one geothermal power plant in Imperial County at its Hell’s Kitchen site. The proposed facility will generate 50 megawatts of geothermal power and deliver 25,000 metric tons of lithium per year. The company won approval of its project from the Imperial County Board of Supervisors in December of 2023 but the project has subsequently been delayed due to a lawsuit over the adequacy of its environmental review. In a separate, unrelated lawsuit, CTR reached a settlement with the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to restore 1,200 acres of wetlands the company damaged while preparing to build its facility. CTR also intends to develop a larger campus that could include six more lithium extraction facilities and two battery or battery component facilities. CTR expects the construction of the first phase of their project will cost approximately $2,000,000,000 and that the full, seven-stage build out will cost $14,000,000,000. EnergySource Minerals, founded in Carlsbad, CA, operates one 55 megawatt geothermal power plant in Imperial County, and is developing an onsite lithium extraction facility called Project ATLiS. The company secured permits for its project in 2021 and plans to break ground in 2025. EnergySource expects Project ATLiS to produce 20,000 metric tons of lithium per year. The total cost of the project is projected to be greater than $1,000,000,000. ## Frequently asked questions What is a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA)?Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) are legally enforceable agreements between private companies and coalitions of community and labor groups. CBAs can be used to ensure a wide range of high-road job standards and equity measures. When cities and states enter into contracts with private corporations or receive tax credits and subsidies, these private corporations are rarely required to create good jobs or commit to equity measures. CBAs allow coalitions of community-based groups, workforce development organizations, labor unions, and other social justice advocates to ensure even deeper equity commitments and high road hiring practices at these facilities. Why organize for a CBA?CBAs can: - Maximize returns on government investment in green energy and manufacturing. - Transform communities through stronger, more equitable economies. - Hold companies accountable to their promises to local governments, workers, and communities. - Advance racial and gender equity by creating training and apprenticeship opportunities for women, people of color, veterans, and systems-impacted people who have historically been left out of good jobs in the manufacturing sector. Where can I learn more about CBAs in action?Across the country, CBAs have been signed for large projects like airports, stadiums, and factories. One of Valle Unido's partner organizations, Jobs to Move America, maintains a Community Benefits Resource Center. [Learn more about their CBA with NewFlyer](https://cbarc.org/revisiting-the-new-flyer-cba/), the largest transit bus manufacturer in North America. Where can I learn more about the environmental impacts of lithium extraction in the Imperial Valley?Two Valle Unido partner organizations, Earthworks and Comite Civico del Valle, published a public report on this subject, which can you [read here](https://earthworks.org/resources/lithium-valley/). --- ## Categories ### [Press Releases](https://valleunido.org/category/press-releases/) ---