Dallas-area battery recycling plant closing

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — A Dallas-area battery recycling plant is closing in a $45 million deal to end disputes over lead emissions and ground contamination.

The Exide Technologies plant in Frisco shuts down Friday. The fast-growing city of about 121,000 will buy 180 acres of undeveloped land owned by the company.

Exide, which came under scrutiny for exceeding stricter government air-quality emissions, had agreed to cease its Frisco operations by Dec. 31. Exide also has facilities in California, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Missouri.

The company, which recycled millions of used vehicle batteries annually year, laid off more than 120 employees as part of the Frisco closure. About two dozen remaining workers will be involved with cleanup and other environmental needs.

The plant's smokestacks and other buildings will be torn down.