Industry leaders and renewable energy advocates think believe lithium, which is found in Nevada, could revolutionize modern battery making processes and help develop better rechargeable batteries.
Tuesday, Assembly Committee on Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Mining looked at Assembly Bill 52 to streamline the process around water-well drilling regulations, since they don’t create a clear permitting process for mining lithium-infused brines.
Proponents told committee members producing all of the lithium used by Tesla in Nevada could help create jobs statewide.
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But critics argue say they want regulations to protect water in the Clayton Valley, which is the nation’s only lithium-brine mining operation site.