October 21, 2021: Korean battery firm Hankook & Company ES America, formerly AtlasBX, has been issued with three notices of violation this year from the Division of Air Pollution Control under the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation, according to local media reports.

The violations are about reporting and permit requirements, which newspaper Clarksville Now says have been rectified and were a result of the company converting from a construction permit to an operating permit during the Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions.

The first, in April, was for failing to submit a compliance monitoring report on time; in May a second was issued for not completing emissions testing in February; and the third was issued in July for failure to maintain inspection and maintenance records, and various other inspection requirements.

The site only opened last August, when it was sited opposite its sister company, Hankook Tire. It was projected to produce 2.4 million batteries a year.

The opening of the facility was met with opposition from locals, the local Leaf-Chronicle said.

“Any news about such violations could further incite local residents who have been vocally opposed from the beginning to the lead-acid battery maker being located to Montgomery County,” it said.

“Town hall meetings and letter-writing campaigns revealed a solid base of community opposition to the company, as residents worried about the possibility of pollution and damaging health effects from the company’s emissions.”

No emissions violations have been reported.

BESB contacted managing director Nick Kim for comment, but no reply was forthcoming at the time of going to press.