RENO, Nev. (AP) A California company has broken ground on a $30-million battery recycling plant in Nevada that federal officials say will be the first of its kind in the world.

AquaMetals is building the plant at the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center east of Reno where Tesla Motors is building its electric battery factory.

The U.S Department of Agriculture guaranteed a $10-million business loan for the Oakland-based company to complete the world’s first commercial-scale electro-chemical lead battery and recycling plant.

AquaMetals officials say the technology they call “AquaRefining” is more efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional recycling.

USDA Rural Development spokeswoman Kelly Clark told the Reno Gazette-Journal it uses a new, water-based process to remove the lead instead of smelters that create toxic waste.

Operations are expected to begin in 2016.

Today's top stories

Blalock Crews Build TDOT's $67M Newport Bypass

New Bridges Part of Iowa's $114M Madison Avenue Project

Eagle Bridge Co. Works On Final Leg of U.S. 35 Upgrade

SAKAI Achieves Record Sales, Production

Takeuchi Recognizes Top Dealers at 2024 Dealer Summit

Equip Expo's Summer Giveaway Offers a Chance for Lifetime Trade Show Registration, Gift Card, Hotel Stay

Tennessee's Pugmill Systems LLC Expands Its Product Offerings to Include Concrete Plants

ASCENDUM Machinery Opens New Savannah, Ga., Facility