Hyundai’s Georgia EV plant faces permit review over water impact concerns

Industry

Hyundai’s Georgia EV plant faces permit review over water impact concerns

Published: 27 Aug. 2024, 13:14

CHO YONG-JUN
cho.yongjun1@joongang.co.kr

A bird's-eye view of Hyundai's Georgia plant [HYUNDAI MOTOR]

A U.S. agency plans to reexamine the environmental permit for Hyundai Motor Group’s EV factory in Georgia ahead of its planned opening in October.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), which handles environmental permits for water resources during construction, agreed to reassess the permit for Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) after a conservation group alleged that the impact of the plant on the local water supply was not properly assessed, AP reported Monday.

HMGMA released a statement saying it is “aware of the request” and will cooperate with the reassessment.

“We are confident that USACE will supply the relevant data in a timely manner and will assist them as needed,” HMGMA said, adding that it “adheres to internationally recognized standards and guidelines to reduce environmental impacts and protect communities.”

Built on a 2,923-acre site in Bryan County, Georgia, the HMGMA plant is scheduled to begin EV production in October, with mass production expected in the first half of 2025. The plant is set to have an annual capacity of 300,000 vehicles, including Hyundai, Genesis and Kia EVs.

A letter from USACE released last Friday noted that the plant’s 2022 permit did not address the factory’s plans to withdraw up to 6.6 million gallons of local underground water per day. This plan emerged earlier this year when the Georgia Environmental Protection Division considered a proposal to provide four new wells for the factory’s water supply, according to AP.

Hyundai Motor's stock is currently trading at 244,500 won ($183), down 2 percent.

BY CHO YONG-JUN [cho.yongjun1@joongang.co.kr]