Extracting Lithium From PA Fracking Water: Is It Worth The Risk?

Pennsylvania has long been a focus for those seeking energy resources. Once an epicenter for coal mining, the state is now highly sought after for its natural gas deposits, which are accessible through fracking. But a more recent study by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) reveals that wastewater from Pennsylvania's fracking wells contains significant amounts of lithium. The mineral is crucial for clean energy technologies such as electric vehicle batteries, and the research shows PA could potentially supply 38 to 40 percent of current U.S. lithium consumption.

The lithium deposits likely originate from ancient volcanic activity, which deposited mineral-rich ash into the underground water. Chemical and production compliance data from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection show that approximately 1,160 metric tons of lithium could be extracted annually from produced water.