Sunrise at the Salton Sea: environmental justice, land use change, and hydrosocial dynamics of solar energy transitions in the Imperial Valley, California

Publication Date

7-1-2025

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Sustainability Science

Volume

20

Issue

4

DOI

10.1007/s11625-025-01698-4

First Page

1433

Last Page

1452

Abstract

California's Imperial Valley, with lithium-rich geothermal brines, extensive flat agricultural fields with abundant desert sunshine, and access to transmission lines, is a leading case to explore interconnected themes around just energy transitions. Despite being the poorest county in California and one of the smallest, Imperial already provides 15% of the state’s solar electricity, and the region as a whole represents on the order of 25% of the state’s electric power capacity. This paper brings to light frictions over solar energy development that have emerged over the history of solar power development in the southern Salton Sea region. It describes the history of solar development in the county and contextualizes in the broader hydrosocial territory and political economy, including how energy development patterns in the region are connected to regional and global energy markets. The analysis is based on analysis of media and news articles, public comments to official proceedings, hearings to environmental review or similar processes, and interviews, and involves a case study tracked closely since 2008. The findings show how social resistance to solar projects can result in better land use outcomes, but also points to different types of hydrosocial reconfigurations and environmental justice issues facing rural communities within and beyond the region. In the arid western United States, solar energy development is mediated by disputes over of Colorado River water, tribal sovereignty and cultural resources, raising questions about how new enterprises can finance ecological restoration of the degraded Salton Sea.

Funding Number

84055601-0

Funding Sponsor

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Keywords

Hydrosocial relations, Just transition, Land use change, Political ecology, Solar power

Department

Environmental Studies

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