Notice is hereby given that Clarios LLC – Middletown Distribution Center having a facility at 50 Patriot Drive, Middletown, Delaware, has submitted a request for a permit pursuant to 7 DE Admin. Code 1130, Section 7. Based on the data and certifications contained in the application, the Division of Air Quality concludes that the applicant meets all applicable requirements promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). Therefore a “draft/proposed” permit has been prepared. This “draft/proposed” permit provides the initial Title V permit for Clarios, LLC -Middletown Distribution Center due to their potential to emit hydrogen gas in greater than 100 TPY. Since hydrogen is a regulated air pollutant subject to 112(r)(3), a facility which emits 100 TPY or more of hydrogen is a major stationary source subject to 7 DE Admin Code 1130. The facility conducts formation (charging) of batteries used for automotive, marine and other mobile sources. During the formation process, emissions consists of sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and hydrogen (H₂). This permit allows for the operation of 32 Starting, Lighting and Ignition (SLI) water bath tables and 80 Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) water bath tables.

The underlying 7 DE Admin. Code 1102 Permits (Permit: APC-2017/0103 – CONSTRUCTION/ OPERATION (Amendment 02) and Permit: APC-2017/0104 – CONSTRUCTION/OPERATION (Amendment 02)) will also be amended to clarify permit conditions and align with the Title V permit. These permits contain the following emission limits: H2SO4 emissions are limited to 1.38 TPY in the SLI Formation Area and 0.13 TPY in the AGM Formation Area. H2 emissions are limited to 1635.85 TPY in the SLI Formation Area and 115.03 TPY in the AGM Formation Area.

The application, the “draft/proposed” permit (AQM-003/00867), all materials that the applicant has submitted (other than those granted confidential treatment under DNREC rules), and a copy of summary of other materials, if any, considered in preparing the “draft/proposed” permit may be reviewed upon request. The materials are posted at de.gov/dnrecnotices. To submit comments, for additional information or for information regarding how you can inspect the application materials, please contact Jennifer Childears at (302) 739‑9402 or jennifer.childears@delaware.gov.

The “draft/proposed” permit renewal is being submitted to EPA for concurrent processing. If there are no significant comments, the “draft/proposed” permit renewal will be issued as a final permit after expiration of the EPA review period.

A public hearing concerning the permitting action will not be held unless the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control receives a request for such hearing within thirty (30) days from the date of this notice, ending June 12, 2026. A request for a hearing shall be in writing and must show a familiarity with the application and a reasoned statement of the permit renewal’s probable impact.

Division of Air Quality
State Street Commons
100 W. Water Street, Suite 6A
Dover, DE 19904
(302) 739-9402

Related Topics:  air quality, battery charging, permitting and regulation, public notice, title v