DTSC Draft Permits Increase Oversight of Ecobat Battery-Recycling Facility in L.A. County

SACRAMENTO - The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has issued two draft permit decisions for Ecobat Resources California, Inc. (Ecobat), a facility in Los Angeles County that recovers lead mainly from spent lead-acid batteries, which are a hazardous waste in California. Ecobat formerly operated as Quemetco, Inc.

To help protect public health and the environment, DTSC is responsible for overseeing how Ecobat stores and treats its wastes. The first draft permit, the "Operating Permit," would impose stricter, more modern standards to ensure that operations protect the public health and environment. These safeguards are key to protecting surrounding neighborhoods. The Operating Permit's shorter timeframe (five years instead of 10 years) means there is an earlier checkpoint for ensuring that Ecobat is implementing the permit as expected.

"The draft permit raises the standards for Ecobat to address ongoing community concerns about current and past operations," said DTSC Director Meredith Williams. "Its provisions are designed to ensure lead-acid battery recycling is conducted with the appropriate safeguards in place. We look forward to ongoing engagement and feedback before making any final decisions."

The draft permit also includes several mandatory conditions to protect the surrounding community and the environment. It would require Ecobat to:

• Prepare a sampling work plan, with input from the community, to further investigate historical lead emissions that may have impacted residential yards nearby.
• Stop using its containment building to store hazardous waste until its containment floor and leak detection systems are upgraded and modernized.
• Conduct additional soil sampling within approximately 0.7 miles surrounding the facility.
• Install a new community air monitoring station.
• Immediately notify DTSC about any unplanned shutdowns of emission control devices.
• Make monitoring data publicly available for DTSC's website and convene annual public meetings to report monitoring results and address any new violations or complaints.

The second draft permit, the "Post-Closure Permit," would require Ecobat to continue monitoring groundwater around two closed areas onsite and conduct annual soil sampling around the facility perimeter for at least 13 more years. Together, both permits increase the amount of money that Ecobat would have to provide from $9.5 million to $50 million, ensuring that site cleanup and post-closure activities are fully covered. Here is the breakdown:

• Closure Funding: Increased from $8.5 million to $25.3 million
• Post-Closure Funding: Increased from $560k to $2.9 million
• Onsite Corrective Action Funding: Increased from $455k to $21.8 million

Both permits are open for public comment for an extended period of 120 days (75 days more than the standard timeframe). Comments may be submitted through 11:59pm on November 18, 2024.

DTSC will host two public hearings and consider all public comments received before issuing a final decision. The draft permits and information regarding upcoming public hearings are available on DTSC's website.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.