By Jennifer Kalish, Crain News Service
VERNON, Calif. (July 3, 2013) — Exide Technologies, a major automobile battery recycler and maker, was granted a preliminary injunction by the Los Angeles Superior Court July 2, allowing the company to continue operations at its plant in Vernon.
The state Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) ordered the facility to shut down on April 24 over alleged hazardous waste violations.
Specifically, the DTSC claimed that Exide's underground storm sewer pipelines were in violation of hazardous waste requirements, according to court documents. The DTSC also claimed that the emissions from Exide's Vernon plant posed a significant risk to the surrounding community.
Exide contested the DTSC order, claiming the agency treated Exide differently from other companies, and citing monetary damages and continued unemployment for its workers were the facility to remain closed.
The company won a temporary reprieve on June 17 that allowed the plant to remain open until the DTSC presented its case for suspension at the hearing on July 2.
The court granted Exide's request for a preliminary injunction under the condition that the company updates its storm water piping system and conduct source testing to confirm emission reductions, the order said.
Exide released a statement following the ruling, saying the company was pleased with the judge's decision.
"Implementation of our planned storm water and air quality control improvements is under way," Exide said. "We have already completed installation of a temporary above-ground storm water piping system and are working with the South Coast Air Quality Management District to schedule appropriate testing to confirm our earlier efforts to significantly reduce air emissions."
This report appeared on the website Waste & Recycling News, a Detroit-based sister publication of Tire Business.