# The Carbon Copy: The lithium land grab in California

- Show: [Catalyst](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst)
- Published: 2022-02-10
- Length: 20m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-02-10-the-carbon-copy-the-lithium-land-grab-in-california

## Summary

Stephen Lacy hosts a crossover episode of The Carbon Copy focusing on the potential for lithium extraction from the brine of California's Salton Sea. The episode explores the tension between the massive economic opportunity to create a domestic supply chain for EV batteries and the historical neglect of the Imperial Valley, where residents fear being left behind by new industry. Key figures include Luis Olmedo of Comite Civico del Valle and journalist Aaron Kantu, who discuss the need for community benefits agreements to ensure equitable distribution of profits and jobs.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-02-10-the-carbon-copy-the-lithium-land-grab-in-california#t=0) Introduction and Salton Sea History
- [4:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-02-10-the-carbon-copy-the-lithium-land-grab-in-california#t=268) The Lithium Opportunity and Supply Chain
- [8:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-02-10-the-carbon-copy-the-lithium-land-grab-in-california#t=495) Local Perspectives and Historical Neglect
- [12:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-02-10-the-carbon-copy-the-lithium-land-grab-in-california#t=731) Community Benefits and Justice
- [17:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-02-10-the-carbon-copy-the-lithium-land-grab-in-california#t=1068) National Stakes and Future Outlook

## Topics

- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- The Carbon Copy (other)
- Catalyst (other)
- Comite Civico del Valle (other)
- Lithium Valley Commission (other)
- EnergyHub (company)
- Bloom Energy (company)
- Antenna Group (company)
- Nextracker (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Electric Car Superiority | The Supply Chain is All Mine | Cookies for Calculus](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2020-07-10-electric-car-superiority-the-supply-chain-is-all-mine-cookies-for-calculus) (EE Times Current)
- [From the Battlefield to the Supply Chain: A Marine’s Mission to Secure Critical Minerals with Ian Killough, President of Ridgeline Elements](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tough-tech-vets/2025-02-10-from-the-battlefield-to-the-supply-chain-a-marines-mission-to-secure-critical-mi) (Tough Tech Vets)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-02-10-the-carbon-copy-the-lithium-land-grab-in-california. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Catalyst.