FILE – The Wet Electrostatic Precipitator , the device Ecobat uses to reduce metallic particulate emissions, is pictured at their City of Industry facility. The Department of Toxic Substances Control issued two draft permits to the plant operators in July 2024. Those pending permits and other issues relating to the facility, will be taken up during a public hearing on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Hacienda Heights.
The 13-acre facility, at 720 South 7th Ave. in City of Industry roughly 15 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, demolishes 600 tons of lead-acid automotive batteries per day, according to a 2019 report from Los Angeles County.Both DTSC draft permits triggered a 120-day period for public comments and review.
The DTSC will hold a second public hearing on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, at the La Puente High School Gymnasium, 15615 Nelson Ave. E, La Puente, CA, 91744. The meeting will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The comment period lasts until Nov. 18, then DTSC will review and respond to all comments, said Elizabeth Leslie Gassaway, DTSC spokesperson in an email on Friday, Sept. 13.
• Install a new air pollutant monitoring station within the community. And then make its data on air toxic components and levels available to the public. The Clean Air Coalition of North Whittier and Avocado Heights is opposed to the draft permits. An email blast asks residents of Hacienda Heights, Avocado Heights, La Puente, Bassett and North Whittier to voice their opposition to the draft permits at the Saturday meeting.