Lithium Wars: How California Could Help the US Compete With China

This aerial view shows a Controlled Thermal Resources drilling rig in Calipatria, Calif., on Dec. 15, 2021. Hollywood stars once crowded the nearby shores of the Salton Sea before it was largely abandoned. Now, lithium reserves have been discovered at the site. Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

Commentary

Recently, Elon Musk, arguably the most influential man in the world, had some advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. If you want to make money, real money, get into lithium mining. It’s sound advice. The importance of lithium—sometimes referred to as “white oil”—cannot be emphasized enough.