Representative Harshbarger (R-Tenn.), Senator Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Senator Hagerty (R-Tenn.) called on the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to consider the impact of potential rulemaking that may have an impact on the US battery separator market.
On January 3, 2022, the EPA announced its final risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act for the compound Trichlorethylene (TCE). TCE is the main compound in the production of battery separators and has no safe alternative
"The battery industry is not only responsible for powering life saving machines, our children's learning tools, and construction equipment that make the building of critical infrastructure possible- the industry is also a major employer and economic contributor in East Tennessee and across the nation. Eliminating access to TCE battery separators without a safe alternative will have a dangerous domino-effect on our economy, workforce, and National Security. Without the domestic supply of battery separators, we will be forced to rely on our enemies for even more power. The EPA must reconsider the critical role TCE plays in our households and our nation every day," said Congresswoman Harshbarger.
“TCE is critical for producers of lead batteries – an industry that supports thousands of workers and generates billions of dollars annually. Without battery separators manufactured with TCE, the U.S would have to increase our reliance on other countries for the supply of batteries – including adversaries like China – and our economy would suffer immensely. The EPA should allow the continued use of TCE in battery separators to protect our economic and national security interests,” said Senator Blackburn.
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