Speak out on planned SOBE energy plant Aug 20, 2023 https://www.vindy.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/2023/08/speak-out-on-planned-sobe-energy-plant/ === SOBE Energy Solutions wants to build a tire pyrolysis plant where they are demolishing the old Youngstown Thermal Plant at 205 North Ave. SOBE applied to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio as a utility to provide steam heat and cooling to downtown Youngstown buildings. There is nothing in its PUCO application stating the facility’s intended plan: to pyrolyze tires to produce synthetic gas and carbon black to sell for profit. SOBE Concerned Citizens examined the application and believe SOBE misrepresented its business plan to PUCO. We advised PUCO that SOBE’s application should be rescinded and should be refiled with the true intended purpose. Youngstown zoning authorities “grandfathered” SOBE as a steam heating and cooling plant, located in a mixed-use community zone. No permission was granted for pyrolyzing of tires. Currently, SOBE is burning natural gas to fire a boiler to provide steam heating and cooling for downtown businesses. SOBE requested permission from Ohio EPA to burn synthetic gas to pyrolyze tires to make more synthetic fuel for sale to plastic manufacturers. July 6, Ohio EPA issued a draft air pollution permit to SOBE detailing amounts of emissions, so the public can submit concerns. “Thermolyzing” tires next to our revitalized downtown would create cancer-causing air emissions in the heart of downtown Youngstown, and is too dangerous to place in the middle of a densely populated area, since similar types of operations have exploded and burned. (Chemical Engineering Transactions, Vol. 99, 2023: Inherent Hazards and Limited Regulatory Oversight in the Waste Plastic Recycling Sector – Repeat Explosion at Pyrolysis Plant by Frank Huess Hedlund.) That research paper deals with a plant in Denmark; in the U.S. , the 2021 Ashley, Indiana and 2023 Richmond, Indiana, plant explosions and fires show the technology has not been proven safe. SOBE’s proposed plastics and tire recycling project would produce pollution harmful to public health. The Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, a worldwide alliance of 800 grassroots groups from over 90 countries, has published lists of carcinogenic toxins that pyrolysis releases into the air, including: dioxins and furans (endocrine disruptors); mercury, cadmium, lead and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons like benzene (all cancer causing); plus, heart- and lung-damaging volatile organic compounds and particulate matter. Youngstown residents’ health and livelihoods should not be sacrificed for this toxic plant. The public comment period is ongoing, and mailed submissions must be postmarked by Aug. 24, addressed to: Ohio EPA DAPC, Northeast District Office, 2110 East Aurora Road, Twinsburg, Ohio 44087. SOBE Concerned Citizens held a public comment meeting, with the draft permit for review, on Aug. 17. You can submit your concerns online at: www.stop sobe.com, then click “to submit your concern to OH EPA.” Please make your voices heard, Youngstown citizens! LYNN ANDERSON Youngstown
Write the Ohio EPA: "Do NOT issue permit to SOBE!"
Email or Mail Comments & Questions to Ohio EPA:
IMP! include these ID #'s:
RE: Facility ID: 0250110024
Permit Number: P0132799
ALSO! Make your comments specifically applicable to this SOBE situation*
DAPCNE.comments@epa.ohio.gov [Erik Bewley]
Ohio EPA:
Andrew Hall
Permit Review/Development Section
Ohio EPA, DAPC
50 West Town Street Suite 700
PO Box 1049
Columbus, Ohio 43216-1049
and
Ohio EPA DAPC, Northeast District Office
2110 East Aurora Rd.
Twinsburg, OH 44087
Anne Vogel, Director of Ohio EPA, 614-644-2782, supora.hunter@epa.ohio.gov
“DO NOT permit pyrolysis plants in Ohio, they are too dangerous and polluting”
Jenifer French, Chairperson, PUCO@PUCO.ohio.gov (Public Utilities Commission of Ohio)
Tell Ms. French “to rescind Public Utility designation for this INCENERATOR!!”
Make sure to tell all of your family, friends and neighbors to submit their concerns via email or mail (postmarked by Sept 10, 2023!)
* make sure your OEPA Comments apply specifically to this SOBE situation (Facility ID: 0250110024 -Permit Number: P0132799) because OEPA will make an official response to every single comment and as to why it applies (or if it doesn't apply). We cannot stress enough that a tremendous number of Comments are needed in order to make a difference in this effort to get the permit denied!
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