Gov. Newsom Highlights Clean Energy and California’s Pandemic Response Moving Forward

Gov. Newsom Joins President Biden to Highlight Investments in Clean Energy Economy in Lithium Valley

SACRAMENTO —  Gov. Gavin Newsom joined President Biden and community, labor, and industry leaders Feb. 2, to discuss new investments and actions to support California’s clean energy sector. The meeting outlined progress to sustainably develop lithium resources, a critical component of the advanced batteries needed for zero-emission vehicles, clean electric grids and other renewable energy technologies. California’s Imperial Valley contains some of the largest lithium deposits in the world, specifically underground near the Salton Sea – a region also known as Lithium Valley.

Gov. Newsom’s Lithium Valley Vision positions the state to become a global leader in the deployment of new technologies and environmental protections that can sustainably coproduce lithium with renewable electricity from geothermal power plants. Experts estimate the region could satisfy up to one-third of today’s global lithium demand. Gov. Newsom aims to build out a world-class battery manufacturing ecosystem in tandem with lithium production and processing that would increase economic opportunity and deliver quality jobs and community benefits to the region. 

Prior to the Governor’s meeting with the President, he met community leaders and local leaders to discuss the environmental and community impacts, as well as opportunities. 

Lithium is becoming an increasingly critical resource as the state – and the world – moves toward a clean energy future to tackle the climate crisis. This metal is a crucial component of batteries needed to power electric vehicles, enable a 100-percent clean electric grid and move the state’s homes and industries away from fossil fuels. Gov. Newsom’s Lithium Valley Vision, as outlined in the California Blueprint, commits to a lithium infrastructure that will:

• Provide incentives to advance the clean energy market in California.
• Provide Californians in the Imperial Valley a share of the benefit from these projects.
• Include labor standards that deliver community benefits, economic development, and job opportunities.
• Ensure lithium production is done in a clean and sustainable way.

SMARTER Plan Charts California’s Path Forward on Nation-Leading Pandemic Response

CALIFORNIA — As California emerges from the Omicron surge, Gov. Gavin Newsom today unveiled the state’s SMARTER Plan, the next phase of California’s pandemic response. Building on lessons learned over the past two years and the state’s ongoing commitment to equity, the SMARTER Plan will guide California’s strategic approach to managing COVID-19 while moving the state’s recovery forward. Emphasizing continued readiness, awareness and flexibility, the Plan will ensure California can maintain its focus on communities that continue to be disproportionately impacted, and stay prepared to swiftly and effectively respond to emerging COVID-19 variants and changing conditions. 

Read the California SMARTER Plan: The Next Phase of California’s COVID-19 Response here.