Final Environmental Assessment - Doe's Proposed Financial Assistance to Enerdel, Inc., for Its Expansion of Battery Manufacturing Capabilities at Indi

DOE prepared this EA to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of providing three types of financial assistance to EnerDel, Inc. (EnerDel) to expand its domestic manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries: (1) a grant under Funding Opportunity Announcement DE-FOA 0000026, Recovery Act - Electric Drive Vehicle Battery and Component Manufacturing Initiative; (2) a loan under Funding Opportunity Announcement DE-FOA 0000052, State Energy Program Formula Grants - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA); and (3) a loan pursuant to Section 136 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (Energy Act) as an automotive component supplier promoting improved fuel economy in light-duty vehicles. As the names of the Funding Opportunity Announcements indicate, these two methods of assistance would derive from funds appropriated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act; Public Law 111-5, 123 Stat. 115). Alternatively, the loan under the State Energy Program funding opportunity would be provided by the State of Indiana from the formula grant it received from DOE under that funding opportunity. This EA analyzes the potential environmental impacts of EnerDel's proposed project to expand its manufacture of lithium-ion batteries, the three proposed federal actions (two loans and one grant), and the alternatives to each of these proposed actions. EnerDel, an Indiana-based company, currently provides system integration from cell to battery in a mass production-scale operation. It operates two facilities in central Indiana: one in the northeast section of Indianapolis and one in the southern part of Noblesville, which is about 20 miles northeast of the center of Indianapolis. Under its proposed project, EnerDel would add cell manufacturing and pack assembly capacity by obtaining and outfitting a new third facility located near Greenfield, Indiana. This EA evaluates 14 resource areas and identifies no significant adverse impacts from EnerDel's proposed project. Beneficial impacts to the nation's air quality and transportation could be realized from implementation of the proposed project, as it could lead to increased use of electric vehicles. In addition, minor beneficial socioeconomic impacts would occur from increased employment opportunities and spending in the local economy.