CHESTER — A battery recycling company cited several years ago in Georgia over environmental infractions wants to make Chester its new home, and area residents are fighting mad.

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection issued a notice of intent to approve earlier this month for Mountaineer Metal Management LLC, which is seeking a construction permit from the Division of Air Quality for a lithium-polymer battery recycling facility to be operated at 200 Eighth St., Chester.

The property, which currently is known as the Rock Springs Business Park, is the former site of the old Taylor, Smith & Taylor Co. pottery and is owned by the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle.

Although not commenting specifically on a potential occupancy by MMM, Pat Ford, BDC executive director, did say, “We currently are showing that property to a variety of prospects as we have since constructing that building.”

The BDC had received $600,000 in United States Environmental Protection Agency funds to raze and clean up the site and create the business park, which is 8 acres and home to two buildings that have garnered significant interest during the past year for either outright purchase or long-term lease.

MMM, which was incorporated in November 2017 by Janet Patterson, lists 2900 Orchard St. in Weirton as its registered address, according to data provided by the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office. The company also had applied for permits in January for a proposed battery recycling plant at the site of the old Jimmy Carey Stadium in downtown Weirton.

This most recent announcement centers around fears of an incident similar to one that led the federal government and state of Georgia to fine Metal Conversion Technologies over a series of alleged safety and environmental infractions several years ago.

MCT, which opponents allege was MMM’s name previously, had to conduct a multi-phase remediation project in Georgia over the issue.

According to the E-Scrap News, an industry journal, the original complaint alleged a “wide range of issues at the company’s properties in Cartersville, Ga.,” where it was certified to process batteries. A fire erupted in June 2006 at one location, where MCT was allegedly discovered to be improperly labeling hazardous waste and disposing of “shredded plastic containing high levels of cadmium at a nearby solid waste landfill.”

A second fire found more issues two months later, while a third fire in 2011 at the other Georgia site allegedly revealed the company’s disposal of batteries encased in concrete.

MCT President John Patterson told the E-Scrap News that the company is “pleased to have reached a settlement” but noted that “MCT does not admit any violation or wrongdoing.”

As part of the settlement, the company had to pay $12,500 to the U.S. Department of Justice and $12,500 to the Georgia EPA in addition to working closely with state and federal officials to conduct oil and groundwater sampling.

Chester Mayor Ken Morris said Thursday afternoon that he was more troubled by not being informed of the possibility before reading about it.

“We just learned Monday night about it through a legal ad in (a local newspaper). Everyone jumped at it,” he continued, saying that the city does have an ordinance in place prohibiting junkyards and recycling parts. “I’m not sure that the federal EPA will be on board (with the proposed tenant), considering the money they spent cleaning (the property) up.”

A member of an organized opposition group posted to its Facebook group earlier in the month: “I just spoke with Thornton Martin he had NO KNOWLEDGE of Mountaineer Metal Management’s previous name or complaint against MCT or the allegations they were involved in (three) fires and a variety of other issues,” urging everyone to send written requests for a public hearing by 5 p.m. June 3 to Division of Air Quality; attention: Thornton Martin or acting director Laura Crowder; 601 57th St. Southeast; Charleston, WV 25304.

Morris said that the city of Chester could choose to file its own public hearing written request to have its thoughts on record.