Biden Administration Advances Nevada Lithium Mine Review

The Biden administration has accelerated an environmental review of a lithium mine in Nevada, drawing attention from conservationists concerned about its impact on an endangered Nevada wildflower.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently unveiled a 2,000-plus page document in a draft environmental impact statement for the Rhyolite Ridge lithium mine, a crucial element for electric vehicle batteries and a linchpin of President Joe Biden’s green energy agenda. Federal officials lauded the progress in reviewing the lithium-boron mine, portraying it as a step toward supporting responsible domestic development of critical minerals to drive the clean energy economy.

Steve Feldgus, Deputy Assistant Interior Secretary for Land and Minerals Management, emphasized the collaborative approach between federal agencies to address environmental concerns while advancing mineral development.

However, environmentalists remain staunch in their opposition, viewing the mine as emblematic of the Biden Administration’s disregard for wildlife protections in pursuit of climate goals. Patrick Donnelly, Great Basin Director at the Center for Biological Diversity, criticized the project as “greenwashing extinction,” citing potential violations of the Endangered Species Act due to threats posed to Tiehm’s buckwheat, a rare flower native to the region.

The draft environmental impact statement presents multiple options for the project, with the BLM favoring a plan that minimizes habitat destruction but still raises concerns among conservationists. Despite efforts to mitigate impacts and incorporate conservation measures, critics argue that any harm to the delicate ecosystem could have irreversible consequences for the endangered wildflower.

The contentious project is emblematic of broader tensions between conservation and green energy development and production in Nevada. With a projected 2030 worldwide increase in demand for lithium, the stakes are high for environmental protection and economic advancement.