George Skelton: Lithium might not be a gold rush for California. But it could be for people near the Salton Sea
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — People have been fighting Salton Sea shrinkage, salinity and stench for decades without much success. But now the local economy could be headed toward a boom.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is trying to help energy companies tap into a huge underground reserve of lithium that's in high demand for the big rechargeable batteries needed to power carbon-free automobiles.
"We have what some have described as the Saudi Arabia of lithium," Newsom told reporters in unveiling his $286 billion state budget proposal, referring to that country's vast oil reserves.
