EDITORIAL: Johnson Controls more than able to handle air permit

The State of South Carolina has given the public until Sept. 29 to comment on the air permit sought by Johnson Controls Inc. to build a battery recycling plant in Florence.

A public meeting in Florence earlier this week spelled out some of the consequences associated with the project. Work at the plant will include battery breaking, melting, smelting and refining — meaning the facility would emit hazardous materials into the air without proper safeguards.

We believe Johnson Controls is more than prepared to manage the project and hope the state approves the permit without delay.

Johnson Controls’ decision to build the plant in Florence means more than 250 high-paying jobs. The company’s sterling reputation sends a strong message to other business leaders about the possibility of relocating to the region.

“If Florence is good enough for a Fortune 500 company like Johnson Controls, we know we’ve met a high standard,” said Joe W. King, director of Florence County Economic Development Partnership.
The company’s plans represent a $100 million capital investment in Florence County. More than 1,000 other jobs will be created indirectly through auxiliary enterprises that will develop to provide raw materials to the recycling center.

The plant will be located on a 270-acre site off U.S. 76 and Paper Mill Road near production facilities for Roche Carolina, DuPont and Smurfit-Stone.

At a June press conference in Florence, Johnson Controls Power Solutions President Alex Molinaroli said the proposed facility will be “the most innovative battery recycling operation in the world.”

Only 36 of the 270 acres will be developed at the site. We like the company’s commitment to minimize its environmental footprint by protecting and managing wildlife habitat, participating in the S.C. Department of Natural Resources’ Stewardship Program and practicing storm water management.

Johnson Controls has a track record of success in South Carolina. And it recently was ranked No. 11 in Newsweek magazine’s Green Rankings of the 500-largest U.S. companies.

Already, Johnson Controls has two facilities in South Carolina. A distribution center in Florence and a battery manufacturing plant in Oconee have been providing good, steady jobs for hundreds of residents.

Certainly, the environmental questions surrounding the plant deserve scrutiny. Lead and mercury are the primary concerns, but so are emissions of other pollutants. Mercury is a major concern with the Great Pee Dee River being a stone’s throw from the facility.

Environmental concerns were major factors in public opposition to a coal-fired electric plant recently scrapped by Santee Cooper. That was an entirely different debate.

Johnson Controls plans to use some coal in its recycling process, but the plant will be fueled by natural gas. The facility will use state-of-the art environmental controls and conform with federal, state and local standards.

Failing to pass environmental muster is not an option for Johnson Controls. The company has become a world leader for a reason. It can stand behind its claims.

We have been impressed by Johnson Control’s transparency through the permitting process. Company officials have met with conservationists and have withstood scrutiny from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, Bureau of Air Quality and the EPA.

“Our goal is to contribute to this region's economy and quality of life,” said Molinaroli, a Charleston native and University of South Carolina graduate. “We believe we can do that best by working together. And as a South Carolinian, I very much look forward to doing so.”

So do we.

Florence residents can take pride in knowing Johnson Controls is creating jobs. We believe they also can take pride in knowing the company will do it safely and efficiently.

— Unsigned editorials represent the views of this newspaper. Editorial Board members are Mark Laskowski (regional publisher), James Bennett (regional editor), Sam Bundy (sports editor), Kimberly Ginfrida (news editor), David Johnson (regional circulation director), Charles Tomlinson (Lake City News & Post editor) and Jackie Torok (metro editor).