Final Environmental Assessment for Saft America, Inc., Electric Drive Vehicle Battery and Component Manufacturing Initiative Application, Jacksonville

DOE prepared this EA to evaluate the potential environmental consequences of providing an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act; Public Law 111-5, 123 Stat. 115) grant to Saft America, Inc., Jacksonville Plant to construct and operate a high-volume manufacturing plant to build advanced lithium-ion cells and batteries for military hybrid vehicles, aviation, smart grid support, broadband backup power, and energy storage for renewable energy. DOE's Proposed Action is to provide $95.5 million in financial assistance in a cost-sharing arrangement with the project proponent, Saft America Inc., Jacksonville Plant. The total cost of the proposed project is estimated at $191 million. Saft America's facility would be built at the Cecil Commerce Center, Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida. This EA evaluates 14 resource areas and identifies no significant adverse impacts for the proposed project. Beneficial impacts to the nation's air quality and transportation could be realized from implementation of the proposed project. In addition, minor beneficial socioeconomic impacts would occur from increased employment opportunities and spending in the local economy.