Dr. Ruiz Urges Tesla Motors to Bring 6,500 Jobs to the Salton Sea

PALM DESERT, CA – Dr. Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-Palm Desert) today urged electric carmaker Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk to build the company's new lithium-ion battery Gigafactory around the Salton Sea, citing the Sea's renewable energy technologies, resources, trained workforce, and vibrant desert community. The factory has the potential to create approximately 6,500 jobs by the year 2020.

"I encourage you to consider the many benefits of locating your Gigafactory battery plant near the Coachella Valley in the area around the Salton Sea," Dr. Ruiz wrote in the letter to Musk. "Our unique location affords Tesla Motors access to educational pipelines that are preparing workforce leaders for careers in renewable energy through our abundant solar, wind, and geothermal renewable energy resources."

California is a finalist among Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas for the Gigafactory location. Dr. Ruiz has advocated to make the Salton Sea the largest renewable energy industrial park in the country, which would create jobs and improve the economy and the lives of families in the 36th District.

More information about the Gigafactory can be found here. The full letter to Tesla CEO Elon Musk can be read here.

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