Electric Futures

We’ll get to know Imperial Valley, an area that is home to nearly 180,000 people located in Southeastern California, 200 miles from USC. This community is located at the heart of the Lithium boom. Some have referred to this as a white gold rush because of the enormous demand for lithium as a major component in the batteries that power electric vehicles and so much else in our everyday lives.

Change is coming to Imperial Valley and its communities. But given this industrialization, can the Valley continue as the massive producer for the agricultural products that feeds the world?

This Southern California county with sky high unemployment rates and with 17% of citizens living below the poverty line is about to be the center of a billion-dollar business boom...but at what cost?

Episode transcripts in English and in Spanish are ⁠available here⁠.

If you’d like to read more about the topics covered in this podcast, please check out our additional resources document.

You can follow us on Instagram at ⁠@usc_electricfutures⁠.

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Electric Futures is an original podcast from the University of Southern California, hosted by Charles Zukoski, the Vivian Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and the former USC Provost. This series was executive produced by Allison Agsten, the director of USC’s Annenberg Center for Climate Journalism and Communication.

USC Annenberg professor Mallory Carra is our lead producer. Natalie Lopez and Spencer Cline are our associate producers. Cindy Chai is our research assistant. This episode was directed by Mallory Carra, and edited and sound designed by Spencer Cline.

Our cover art is by Matthew Buxbaum. All music and sound effects used with express permission under unlimited blanket license authority from Epidemic Sound.

Electric Futures is a new podcast series from the University of Southern California exploring lesser-known stories of the energy transition, from the perspectives of the people most impacted by the changes that transition will bring. Season 1 invites listeners on a journey to California's Imperial Valley with former USC provost and Vivian Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science Charles Zukoski.

The Imperial Valley is an agricultural area east of San Diego and bordering Mexico. It's suddenly in the spotlight thanks to its vast deposits of lithium, a chemical element necessary for the production of batteries needed for electric vehicles, grid storage, and consumer products. The extraction and processing of this “white gold” is poised to bring a massive influx of capital to the Imperial Valley, which has the highest unemployment rate in California.

Electric Futures Season 1 explores the tradeoffs the community must make as it weighs economic opportunity, environmental impact, and worldwide hunger for lithium.

All six episodes will be released on January 24th, 2024.

There’s a big demand for the batteries but it’s a challenge in how to gain access to all the lithium needed for the electric vehicles that are flooding the streets of the world. There's a new way to access the lithium in the brines — but don’t call it mining. In this episode we will explore this chemistry and more...

We want to hear from our listeners! Please take this short survey.

Episode transcripts in English and in Spanish are ⁠available here⁠.

If you’d like to read more about the topics covered in this podcast, please check out our additional resources document.

You can follow us on Instagram at ⁠@usc_electricfutures⁠.

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Electric Futures is an original podcast from the University of Southern California, hosted by Charles Zukoski, the Vivian Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and the former USC Provost. This series was executive produced by Allison Agsten, the director of USC’s Annenberg Center for Climate Journalism and Communication.

USC Annenberg professor Mallory Carra is our lead producer. Natalie Lopez and Spencer Cline are our associate producers. Cindy Chai is our research assistant. This episode was directed by Mallory Carra, and edited and sound designed by Spencer Cline.

Our cover art is by Matthew Buxbaum. All music and sound effects used with express permission under unlimited blanket license authority from Epidemic Sound.

We will look at how Lithium extraction is expected to boost the local economy and the trade-offs associated with the growth of this industry. The community is preparing - with cautious optimism. In the face of diminished flows in the Colorado River, memories are haunted by past hype.

We want to hear from our listeners! ⁠Please take this short survey⁠.

Episode transcripts in English and in Spanish are ⁠available here⁠.

If you’d like to read more about the topics covered in this podcast, please check out our ⁠additional resources document⁠.

You can follow us on Instagram at ⁠@usc_electricfutures⁠.

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Electric Futures is an original podcast from the University of Southern California, hosted by Charles Zukoski, the Vivian Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and the former USC Provost. This series was executive produced by Allison Agsten, the director of USC’s Annenberg Center for Climate Journalism and Communication.

USC Annenberg professor Mallory Carra is our lead producer. Natalie Lopez and Spencer Cline are our associate producers. Cindy Chai is our research assistant. This episode was directed by Mallory Carra, and edited and sound designed by Spencer Cline.

Our cover art is by Matthew Buxbaum. All music and sound effects used with express permission under unlimited blanket license authority from Epidemic Sound.

We’ll look at how Lithium extraction in the Imperial Valley may potentially impact the environment and health issues in the area. What health and ecological changes can the community expect? What bargain does the community accept as they venture into this natural resource extraction industry?

We want to hear from our listeners! ⁠Please take this short survey⁠.

Episode transcripts in English and in Spanish are ⁠available here⁠.

If you’d like to read more about the topics covered in this podcast, please check out our ⁠additional resources document⁠.

You can follow us on Instagram at ⁠@usc_electricfutures⁠.

-----

Electric Futures is an original podcast from the University of Southern California, hosted by Charles Zukoski, the Vivian Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and the former USC Provost. This series was executive produced by Allison Agsten, the director of USC’s Annenberg Center for Climate Journalism and Communication.

USC Annenberg professor Mallory Carra is our lead producer. Natalie Lopez and Spencer Cline are our associate producers. Cindy Chai is our research assistant. This episode was directed, edited and sound designed by Spencer Cline.

Our cover art is by Matthew Buxbaum. All music and sound effects used with express permission under unlimited blanket license authority from Epidemic Sound.