One of the more interesting quotes from that article concerned how "Green" the Thacker Pass operation will be:

"Dr. Nathan Manser, an expert in geology and mining from Michigan Technological University, agreed that Lithium Americas’ process appears to be an improvement over existing methods. “In terms of comparison to existing lithium salt brine operations, this project will benefit from an economy of scale effect that could allow it to produce lithium in a greener manner than is currently being done.”

If that view is shared by the powers that be then LAC should be a shoe in for the EIS being favorable for LAC.