Three years after Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed Imperial County’s  “Lithium Valley” to be a game-changer for California’s economy and alternative energy transition, little has changed. The southern end of the Salton Sea contains rich sources of lithium, a mineral used for electric car batteries, cellphones and other electronics. … But lithium resources remain untapped, as plans to mine them falter amid legal challenges and funding problems. The Hell’s Kitchen project by Controlled Thermal Resources has been delayed by lawsuits arguing that the company neglected to address its environmental impacts. Last month an appeals court sent the environmental review back to Imperial County to correct deficiencies regarding water and air quality effects.

Other Lithium Valley news:

• The Desert Review (Brawley, Calif.): Assemblyman Gonzalez announces Lithium Valley bill clears legislature, heads to Governor’s desk