"Controversy Surrounding Lithium Extraction from Great Salt Lake and Colorado River"

An Australian company is planning to extract lithium from saline waters in southeast Utah, raising concerns about its potential impact on the Colorado River's water supply. The project aims to produce lithium for electric vehicle batteries using a low-carbon and environmentally responsible extraction process, but local residents and environmentalists are worried about the potential water usage and environmental impact. The company has acquired rights to freshwater from the Green River, leading to questions about the connection between groundwater and river water. The project reflects a broader global effort to ramp up lithium production for renewable energy technologies, but concerns persist about its potential effects on the environment and water resources.