THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
BY DAN GEARINO

Coda Automotive has waited for more than a year after submitting its federal loan application to build a battery plant in Columbus.

It’s heard nothing.

That’s too long, according to a letter sent yesterday by members of Ohio’s congressional delegation.

“This advanced manufacturing facility would strengthen America’s capacity to engineer and produce the advanced technology vehicles we need to transition to a clean energy economy and reduce our dependence on imported oil,” said the letter, signed by Sens. Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman and Reps. Steve Stivers, Steve Austria and Pat Tiberi.

The letter is addressed to Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, whose agency is considering the loan of more than $500 million for an automotive battery plant that would employ more than 1,000 workers.

“Coda is on the front lines of innovation in manufacturing, which is one of the many reasons why central Ohio is the right home for its plant,” Brown said in a statement.

He is a Democrat; the other four who signed the letter are Republicans.

“I applaud Coda’s efforts on this clean energy initiative and potential investment in Ohio,” Portman said in a statement.

Coda is seeking funding from the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing loan program, which is overseen by the Department of Energy. About 130 companies have applied for a share of $25 b illion.

A Department of Energy spokesman said the agency continues to work with Coda. “These projects are complex and must be reviewed rigorously to establish the technical, financial, environmental, and legal soundness of the proposed project as well as the project’s eligibility for a loan under the terms set forth by the program,” the spokesman said.

The federal program began with some big awards, such as $5.9 billion for Ford, but there has been little activity since January 2010.

Coda, based in southern California, is working with a Chinese battery company on the project. Initially, the partners will produce batteries in China. Coda hopes to begin selling its debut sedan before the end of the year.

A U.S.-based plant would help the company ramp up production over the next few years. The proposed Columbus plant might also make batteries for other uses.