With his impeccable tan and slicked-back hair, Gavin Newsom, the Governor of California, took to the podium at Sacramento’s Cal Expo in late September 2020. He made a significant announcement through an executive order mandating that all new passenger vehicles sold in the state must be zero-emissions by 2035. Amid the peak of the global Covid pandemic, Newsom endeavored to instill a glimmer of hope for the future by emphasizing that this directive would play a pivotal role in combating climate change while also bolstering the state’s economy. Initially endorsed by the California Air Resources Board, Newsom’s order is now under review by the Environmental Protection Agency. Concurrently, President Biden has initiated efforts to tighten regulations on tailpipe exhaust, subtly nudging car manufacturers towards embracing electric vehicles.
Prior to officially signing the order, Newsom expressed his sentiments while standing atop a vibrant red electric Ford Mustang Mach-E:
“Our cars should not exacerbate wildfires or contribute to smog-filled days. They should not hasten the melting of glaciers or raise sea levels, jeopardizing our beloved beaches and coastlines… This burgeoning industry holds global significance, and California aims to lead the way. Our focus lies in detoxifying and decarbonizing our transportation fleets… Today, California takes a bold leap in that direction.”
A well-known stereotype about Californians holds true: they have a penchant for driving, which consequently translates to a high volume of new car purchases. In reality, California stands as the top seller of new vehicles in the U.S., with over [ppp1] cars and trucks sold in 2023. The state boasts a registry of over 14 million vehicles, a figure significantly surpassing the combined numbers of vehicles registered in Florida and Texas. Newsom’s assertion that phasing out combustion engines from the roads will notably diminish the state’s carbon footprint is indeed accurate. Notably, California’s transportation sector alone accounts for more than [ppp2] of its greenhouse gas emissions.
At first glance, Newsom’s executive order appears not just necessary but imperative for envisioning a future devoid of fossil fuels and curbing climate change. California also serves as the home to numerous electric vehicle manufacturers, implying that car companies failing to adapt will inevitably find themselves “on the wrong side of history,” as stated by Newsom. Undoubtedly, transitioning California’s extensive network of roads from gas-guzzlers to electric vehicles is imperative and promises substantial economic gains, particularly for the extraction industry. However, this transition comes with notable cultural and environmental repercussions that demand careful consideration.
A Lithium Bonanza
On a scorching August afternoon, a journey through Humboldt County in northern Nevada near the Thacker Pass lithium mine operation unfolds. The arid landscape, overseen by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), holds vast lithium deposits and a dark historical past. The site witnessed a tragic event on September 12, 1865, when American soldiers carried out a massacre of the Numu (Northern Paiute) near Thacker Pass. Natives refer to the area as “Rotten Moon,” a tribute to the victims of this heinous act. Despite ongoing efforts by descendants to commemorate the victims and preserve the site’s historical significance, the battle against lithium mining continues.
The descendants of the massacre victims persist in their struggle to safeguard Thacker Pass and its environs as a memorial site listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Their endeavors aim to halt lithium mining activities, symbolized by the company Lithium Americas, which received approval to prospect in the area. Despite facing legal setbacks, the protesters remain resilient in their opposition to the mining operations.
Lithium Americas submitted its proposal to the BLM in 2019 and commenced operations at Thacker Pass in March 2023. Legal disputes ensued as Native tribes and environmental groups contested the expedited environmental review process that overlooked proper consultation with tribes. Despite acknowledging violations in the approval process, the courts refrained from revoking the company’s permits, much to the dismay of the Indigenous communities.
The “Right” to Mine
The Thacker Pass lithium mine project, set to be the largest in the country, is poised to consume a significant portion of public lands, potentially impacting the region’s ecosystem. The extraction process, requiring substantial groundwater usage and posing risks of chemical contamination, raises concerns among opponents of the project. Furthermore, the mine’s operations could jeopardize the habitat of various wildlife species, including the Lahontan cutthroat trout and sage-grouse population in Nevada.
The venture at Thacker Pass exemplifies a broader pattern of exploiting Native lands for profit, echoing a historical legacy of land expropriation and environmental degradation. The prevailing laws and acts have enabled the exploitation of tribal lands without adequate consent, perpetuating a cycle of dispossession and disenfranchisement among Indigenous communities.
Going Back to California
In Southern California near the Salton Sea, a substantial lithium deposit has been discovered, presenting an opportunity for electric battery production. Governor Newsom envisions transforming the region into a hub for clean energy technologies, branding it “Lithium Valley.” However, the environmental and economic ramifications of extracting lithium from this site remain uncertain. Despite the optimistic outlook, the transition to electric vehicles under Newsom’s vision does not inherently signify a reduction in vehicular traffic or a fundamental shift in America’s energy consumption patterns.
In essence, while the pursuit of electrification holds promise for mitigating climate change, the current trajectory of resource extraction poses significant challenges. The commodification of natural resources and labor perpetuates a crisis of sustainability and equity, underscoring the need for a more holistic approach to environmental stewardship. As the world navigates towards a greener future, it is imperative to address the systemic issues embedded within the current model of resource exploitation to ensure a more equitable and sustainable path forward.