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Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo and elected officials visiting homes in East Los Ángeles contaminated with lead by the EXIDE Battery Plant. August 9, 2018.

SACRAMENTO, CA – For decades, Exide emitted lead, arsenic, cadmium, and other toxic pollutants into its property and the surrounding community. It also contaminated groundwater and released battery acid onto our roads. The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) estimates that properties up to 1.7 miles away from the facility may potentially be affected by Exide’s lead contamination, roughly 10,000 properties. In 2015, the U.S. DOJ agreed not to prosecute Exide for violations of hazardous waste law in exchange for ceasing operations at the Vernon facility and agreeing to safely close and remediate the facility.

Earlier this year, Exide filed for bankruptcy and has now proposed a settlement agreement that would allow it to be released from its remediation requirements. Furthermore, the U.S. DOJ has agreed to not oppose Exide’s option to abandon the highly contaminated site. Between the non-prosecution agreement and this proposed settlement, Exide will face only minor consequences despite the overwhelming damage it has caused to the environment and public health. The U.S. DOJ has only offered the public 8 business days to respond to this public settlement, compared to the typical 30 days comment period for most bankruptcy settlements.