EnerSys fined by EPA for Clean Air Act violations in Springfield

Last edited 12:42 p.m., June 14, 2024 [Editor's note: A statement from EnerSys has been added.]

Reading, Pennsylvania-based EnerSys (NYSE: ENS), which in 2019 took over two NorthStar Battery plants in Springfield, has been fined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for alleged Clean Air Act violations.

The EPA has reached a settlement with EnerSys to resolve allegations of federal Clean Air Act violations at EnerSys' two Springfield plants and a facility in Warrensburg, according to a news release from the agency. EnerSys has agreed to pay a $430,500 civil penalty and spend an estimated $250,000 in compliance costs as part of the settlement.

“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,” said Jodi Bruno, acting director of EPA Region 7’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division, in the release. “This settlement represents the commitment by EPA and the Biden administration to protecting all communities, especially those overburdened by environmental harm.”

An EnerSys spokesperson provided a statement to Springfield Business Journal.

"This settlement relates to an alleged violation of reporting requirements. EnerSys has taken actions to improve and automate its reporting processes," the statement reads. "We remain fully committed to protecting the health and safety of our employees and the communities in which we operate."

The EPA alleged in settlement documents that the EnerSys facilities have emitted lead as part of their manufacturing process. The EPA reportedly found that EnerSys failed to report when the facilities’ emission control equipment operated outside of the appropriate pressure range during inspections in 2022 and 2023. EnerSys also failed to report what corrective actions had been taken, according to the EPA.

EnerSys' Springfield plants are at 4000 E. Continental Way, in Partnership Industrial Center, and 1320 N. Alliance Ave., in Partnership Industrial Center West, according to the company's website.

EnerSys took over the plants as part of the 2019 acquisition of NorthStar Battery parent company N Holding AB, according to past reporting.