YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — Youngstown City Council voted on a moratorium Wednesday to prevent a pyrolysis process from being used a few blocks north of downtown.
SOBE Energy Solutions which now runs the steam heat plant on North Avenue announced plans 2 years ago to use pyrolysis to generate the steam but it was met with skepticism from the community.
The pyrolysis process — if allowed — would turn tire chips into synthetic gas and in turn, create steam used to heat and cool many of downtown’s buildings.
Mary Krupa was one of four people asking city council to again approve a moratorium on the use of the pyrolysis process at Youngstown’s SOBE plant.
“I ask that you as a city council renew this moratorium,” said Krupa. “I would like to see a forum with SOBE where a panel of carefully vetted scientists and experts in the field could ask questions.”
There was no sign of any major work being done at the plant Wednesday.
“Any expansion of the facility’s legacy use is impermissible under the law,” said Ellie Buerk.
Buerk works at the Kramer Environmental Law Clinic at Case Western Reserve which represents the Youngstown-based group SOBE Concerned Citizens.
“But what the clinic and our clients have learned is concerning. It suggests the pyrolysis process is extremely dangerous and has a very real potential to harm Youngstown’s residents and pollute this community,” Buerk said.
Buerk added that SOBE officials have not been part of any discussions.
“Notably over the past year, SOBE has made no effort to address public concerns regarding the safety of its plans and it has engaged no community outreach that we are aware of,” Buerk said.
Patricia Dunbar is retired from the Ohio EPA. She helped with the permitting process of what is now Hermitage Thermal Services in East Liverpool. Dunbar, too, was concerned about SOBE.
“I haven’t heard about any trial burns that are being planned. I haven’t heard of any kind of analysis that’s being done of the waste materials,” said Dunbar.
No one on City Council commented — but all voted to extend the SOBE pyrolysis moratorium for one more year.
Also addressing the council Wednesday night was Barb Ewing the CEO of the Youngstown Business Incubator.
Ewing asked council to commit to $1.35 million over the next four years to help create what will be called The Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace and Defense Using Advanced Technologies. Part of the money will go toward renovating the former Vindicator Building downtown.
Youngstown contribution would be part of a $4.3 million local match to get a $26 million state grant.
“We’re projecting 115 jobs in that facility with an average salary of $81,000,” said Ewing.
City council agreed, providing a letter supporting the Aerospace Hub. The council is expected to vote on the $1.35 million request at its next meeting.
