National Energy Technology Laboratory

Final Environmental Assessment for Exide Technologies Electric Drive Vehicle Battery and Component Manufacturing Initiative Application, Bristol, Tn, and Columbus, Ga (Doe / Ea-1712) National Energy Technology Laboratory

DOE prepared this EA to evaluate the potential environmental consequences of providing an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the Recovery Act; Public Law 111-5, 123 Stat. 115) grant to Exide Technologies for expansion of its operations to manufacture advanced lead-acid batteries. DOE?s Proposed Action is to provide $34.3 million in financial assistance in a cost-sharing arrangement with the project proponent, Exide Technologies. The total cost of the project is estimated at $70 million. Exide Technologies? proposed project would expand its domestic capacity to produce advanced lead-acid batteries for use in the transportation industry. This EA evaluates 14 resource areas and identifies no significant adverse impacts for the proposed project. Beneficial impacts to the nation?s air quality and transportation industry could be realized from implementation of this proposed project. In addition, beneficial socioeconomic impacts would occur from increased employment opportunities and spending in the affected local economies.