The United States (U.S.) Department of Energy (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) prepared a draft environmental assessment (EA) to evaluate the potential environmental and social impacts of DOE's Proposed Action to provide cost-shared funding to SWA Lithium LLC (SWA Lithium) for its Proposed South West Arkansas (SWA) Project to support the development of a lithium processing plant in the Smackover region of southwest Arkansas.
The Proposed SWA Project aims to boost job creation and increase domestic lithium production, an identified critical mineral. SWA Lithium is a joint venture between Standard Lithium Ltd. (SLI), a lithium development company, and Equinor, an international energy company, operating under the joint venture brand of Smackover Lithium.
For more information, see SWA Lithium LLC – South West Arkansas Project.
Public Comment Opportunities
The public comment period closes April 9, 2026. Comments should be marked “SWA Lithium Draft EA Comments” and include name, address, and organization (if applicable). Comments received by the close of the comment period will be considered in preparing a Final EA for SWA Lithium LLC's Proposed Project. Comments received after the end of the comment period will be addressed to the extent practicable.
Comments should be submitted to Stephen Witmer using the contact information below:
Stephen Witmer
NEPA Compliance Officer
U.S. Department of Energy
National Energy Technology Laboratory
626 Cochran Mill Road
M/S 921-227
Pittsburgh, PA 15236
Telephone: 412-386-7589
Email: stephen.witmer@netl.doe.gov