U.S. Agency Considers Permitting Hyundai’s EV Factory in Georgia

A U.S. federal agency plans to reassess its environmental permit for Hyundai’s coming $7.6 billion electric vehicle manufacturer in Georgia after receiving complaints that regulators failed to properly consider the factory’s potential impacts on the area’s water supply.

According to the Army Corps of Engineers, state and local economic development agencies applied for the project’s 2022 permit but did not mention that Hyundai wanted to withdraw up to 6.6 million gallons (25 million liters) per day from the underground aquifer, which is a major regional source of drinking water.

While the Georgia Environmental Protection Division waited for a proposal for four new wells to supply water to the auto factory early this year, more details came out. Therefore, the Army Corps of Engineers will review the project’s impact again.

In June, the Ogeechee Riverkeeper conservation group gave notice that it planned to sue if the agency refused to revisit the permit issued for the Hyundai project in October 2022. The group is afraid that pumping will be able to impact domestic and agricultural wells and other resources.

However, the Army Corps also stated this permit reassessment will not cause any delays or disruptions to construction at the plant site.

Hyundai is pushing to start production before the end of the year at its 2,900-acre (1,170-hectare) plant in Bryan County west of Savannah to produce EVs and the batteries that power them. 

The South Korean automaker also plans to create 8,000 jobs working at the plant which will be also the largest economic development project Georgia has ever seen. In July, Georgia’s environmental agency issued draft permits for the four wells, which would be drilled in neighboring Bulloch County, to supply Hyundai. It is waiting to give a final decision.

According to state regulators, water withdrawals by the auto plant would lower water levels in the aquifer up to 5.8 meters (19 feet) for private wells within 8 kilometers (5 miles) that reach deeper into the ground. Therefore, it would not impact what residents and farmers are worrying about.

The Army Corps didn’t say how long the additional review might take, but it is expected to be completed within a month.

Photo by The Punisher on Unsplash