Kidd Pushes for a “Lithium Loop”

Nevada is at the forefront of a burgeoning effort to establish a self-contained “lithium loop,” positioning the state as a central hub for all stages of lithium processing—from mining to manufacturing electric batteries.

Greg Kidd, a Nevada 2nd U.S. House District candidate, has emerged as a vocal proponent of this initiative.

The 2nd District encompasses much of Northern Nevada, including Carson City. Kidd, an investor and entrepreneur running in Nevada for the first time, has pledged to champion the lithium loop concept in Washington, D.C., should he be elected.

“You’ve got both the start and the tail end of the dog there,” Kidd remarked during a recent appearance on Nevada Newsmakers. He referred to the lithium mining operations at Thacker Pass near Winnemucca and the production of electric car batteries at the Tesla Gigafactory in Storey County.

“The mining? It’s there in the ground. It’s going to come out,” Kidd told host Sam Shad. “And we’ve got companies that are focused on the recycling. We’ve got companies that are focused on the manufacturing. The piece that we’re short on is processing.”

Kidd highlighted the weaknesses in the existing supply chain. He pointed out that a large portion of lithium is processed overseas, mainly in China, Japan, and Korea. He emphasized the importance of establishing a comprehensive lithium processing system in Nevada to strengthen domestic security and economic self-sufficiency.

“It’s four pieces,” Kidd explained. “It’s mining, processing, manufacturing, and recycling. In a perfect world with good infrastructure here, we keep all of that right in Nevada. I’m 100 percent behind the lithium loop.”

Beyond lithium, Kidd envisions Nevada in a role in the global energy transition.

“When I am elected, I will catalyze Nevada’s lithium and geothermal power by putting our state at the center of the world’s energy transition,” Kidd stated on his campaign website. “Nevada should be energy independent and a leader in energy generation, storage, and transmission for the country and the world.”

Kidd faces an uphill battle in his challenge to incumbent U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei, in the 2024 general election. The district has consistently elected Republicans since its establishment after the 1980 census.

Amodei, a former Nevada GOP chairman and state senator, has held the seat since a special election in 2011. Kidd’s candidacy marks a significant entry into Nevada politics for the first-time candidate and longtime investor.

Earlier this month, Kidd made headlines by investing $53 million in Vast Bank’s holding company, Vast Holdings, Inc., according to the Tulsa World. He also co-founded the Hard Yaka investment firm.

Kidd criticized the current Congress for its lack of legislative productivity.

“I think everybody knows that Congress we have right now is having a really hard time getting things done,” he said. “It is passing legislation at about 10 percent of the historical pace. I’m here to change that and get things done.”

Kidd plans to collaborate with both Republicans and Democrats.

“It depends on the issue,” he said. “For some issues, like financial services, Republicans have been more active. For others, like reproductive health choices for women, I’ll be caucusing more with Democrats.”

Kidd also addressed women’s health, criticizing the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade.

“In the absence of a federal law, this civil right has been turned into a zoning issue,” he said on his website. “People should be in charge of their own bodies.”

With over 80 percent of Nevada’s land owned by the federal government, Kidd acknowledged the importance of continuing efforts to transfer federal land to local governments for growth and economic development. He praised the current congressional delegation for their work in this area, expressing hope to match their productivity.

Kidd’s campaign slogan, “Free, Fair, and Wild,” reflects his vision for Nevada.

“Free” symbolizes freedom, “Fair” stands for equitable treatment, and “Wild” pays tribute to Nevada’s heritage of risk-taking and innovation.

“It’s probably the defining feature of this state,” Kidd said. “Nevada has shown an ability to take on risk, manage it, and build an amazing state. It is why I’m living here and why I’ve chosen to make this place home.”

Kidd sounds more like a sheep — I mean a RINO — than an Independent.