Environmental Group Cites Inadequate Impact Assessments
A Georgia conservation organization is taking legal action against the construction of a massive electric vehicle (EV) plant by Hyundai. The Ogeechee Riverkeeper alleges that government agencies failed to properly assess the environmental impact of the project.
Concerns Over Water Resources and Outdated Data
The Ogeechee Riverkeeper specifically accuses the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers of issuing permits based on outdated data. They claim the Corps underestimated the project’s scale and its potential impact on nearby wetlands.
The group also expresses concern about the impact on the region’s groundwater supply. They allege the Army Corps wrongly assumed the project would have minimal effects on this crucial resource.
Treasury Department Funding Questioned
The lawsuit additionally targets the U.S. Treasury Department. The Ogeechee Riverkeeper argues that millions of dollars in infrastructure funding were allocated to the project without proper environmental reviews, which are typically mandated by law.
Project Significance and Timeline
Hyundai broke ground in 2022 for its first dedicated EV and battery plant in the United States. This $7.6 billion project, located near Savannah in Bryan County, represents the largest economic development project ever undertaken by the state of Georgia.
The South Korean automaker aims to begin production later in 2024 and eventually employ 8,000 workers who will manufacture 300,000 EVs annually. The plant itself occupies a vast area exceeding 2,900 acres.
Potential Construction Halt Looms
The Ogeechee Riverkeeper has issued a 60-day notice of intent to sue. Unless the Army Corps of Engineers and the Treasury Department conduct more thorough environmental reviews, the group plans to file a lawsuit that could potentially halt construction.
