Battery manufacturer fined $431K by EPA for violating the Clean Air Act

Battery manufacturer fined $431K by EPA for violating the Clean Air Act

June 18, 2024
Additionally, the company will have to spend $250,000 to resolve the violations.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reached an agreement with EnerSys Energy Products Inc. The Missouri company, which manufactures lead-acid batteries, allegedly violated the federal Clean Air Act at its facilities in Warrensburg and Springfield. According to the EPA, the plants were emitting lead as part of the manufacturing process and failed to report when “emission control equipment operated outside of the appropriate pressure range.” The EPA also alleges that EnerSys did not report what corrective actions were being taken in response to these incidents.

As part of the agreement, EnerSys will pay a $430,500 civil penalty. Additionally, the company will have to spend $250,000 to resolve the violations.

What people are saying

In a recent quote, Jodi Bruno, acting director of EPA Region 7’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division, said, “In addition to allegedly violating the Clean Air Act, EnerSys Energy’s facilities are located in communities determined by EPA to be disproportionately affected by pollution. This settlement represents the commitment by EPA and the Biden administration to protecting all communities, especially those overburdened by environmental harm.”

EPA in the news

NAM and ACC file petition to stop EPA regulation of PFAS in drinking water
The EPA introduced the final rule in April, claiming that the standard would reduce PFAS exposure for approximately 100 million people.

Smith Foundry fined $80k by EPA and must cease furnace, casting operations within 1 year
The EPA alleges that the iron foundry, which is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, violated the Clean Air Act.

EPA finalizes standards to reduce pollution from fossil fuel-fired power plants
The department hopes these rules will reduce climate, air, water, and land pollution from the power sector.

Sustainability in manufacturing

Turning Sustainability Principles into Profits: An 8-Step Framework
Industry leaders are developing ways to monetize their ESG initiatives.

Navigating new ESG regulations with configuration technology
Manufacturers of configurable products must navigate new and changing rules amid the ever-increasing complexity they’re already dealing with.

US Sustainability Score Declines
"The degree to which consumers are concerned about sustainability depends largely upon where they live,” said Martim Avillez Oliveira, of ESW.

About the Author

Alexis Gajewski | Senior Content Strategist

Alexis Gajewski has over 15 years of experience in the maintenance, reliability, operations, and manufacturing space. She joined Plant Services in 2008 and works to bring readers the news, insight, and information they need to make the right decisions for their plants. Alexis also authors “The Lighter Side of Manufacturing,” a blog that highlights the fun and innovative advances in the industrial sector. 

Sponsored Recommendations

Arc Flash Prevention: What You Need to Know

March 28, 2024
Download to learn: how an arc flash forms and common causes, safety recommendations to help prevent arc flash exposure (including the use of lockout tagout and energy isolating...

Reduce engineering time by 50%

March 28, 2024
Learn how smart value chain applications are made possible by moving from manually-intensive CAD-based drafting packages to modern CAE software.

Filter Monitoring with Rittal's Blue e Air Conditioner

March 28, 2024
Steve Sullivan, Training Supervisor for Rittal North America, provides an overview of the filter monitoring capabilities of the Blue e line of industrial air conditioners.

Limitations of MERV Ratings for Dust Collector Filters

Feb. 23, 2024
It can be complicated and confusing to select the safest and most efficient dust collector filters for your facility. For the HVAC industry, MERV ratings are king. But MERV ratings...