Battery recycling firm Redwood Materials is seeking a new air quality permit as construction continues at its large facility just east of Reno.

Redwood Materials, which was founded by former Tesla Chief Technology Officer JB Straubel, is applying for a Class II air quality operating permit with the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection. The Carson City-based company is building a new battery recycling and production facility more than 20 miles east of Reno-Sparks at the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center.

Read more:Tesla co-founder’s battery recycling firm Redwood Materials doubles down on Reno area

The facility will reprocess lithium-ion battery materials and scrap copper wire into metal commodities and other materials that can be used in making new batteries. Redwood Materials has agreements with companies including Tesla partner Panasonic and Ford’s electric vehicle division. 

Redwood Materials also recently expanded the scope of its 100-acre project by an additional 75 acres.

If approved, the permit will allow the facility to emit a set number of pollutants per year:

The permit sets emission limits to ensure that public health is protected, NDEP said in an emailed response to the Reno Gazette Journal.

“The proposed permit requires Redwood Materials to maintain compliance with all state and federal regulations and ambient air quality standards,” NDEP said. “(It) requires Redwood Materials to conduct regular monitoring and reporting to ensure public health and safety.”

Redwood Materials has a permit that allows it to construct buildings, roadways and other infrastructure while controlling particulate matter from becoming airborne, according to NDEP. 

The Class II permit is more tailored for actual operations. The Tesla Gigafactory 1, for example, is operating under a Class II air quality permit. Tesla also recently applied for a Class I permit for the Nevada Gigafactory as it expands its operations.

Redwood Materials’ facility is expected to emit air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds and other particulate matter. 

Based on a preliminary review, NDEP says it plans to approve the permit.

“Air dispersion modeling has shown that all pollutants emitted from the facility will remain below established air quality thresholds and other limits for major air pollution sources established by the federal Clean Air Act,” NDEP said.

The agency will hold a public hearing on Redwood Materials’ permit application on Aug. 29. Members of the public who would like to take part can submit their comments in person or by mail to:

Ashley Taylor, P.E., GISP, Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Air Pollution Control, 901 South Stewart Street, Suite 4001, Carson City, Nevada 89701.

Comments also can be emailed to: aircomments@ndep.nv.gov

Jason Hidalgo covers business and technology for the Reno Gazette Journal, and also reviews the latest video games. Follow him on Twitter @jasonhidalgo. Like this content? Support local journalism with an RGJ digital subscription.