The city of Youngstown, Ohio unanimously voted to adopt a one year moratorium on pyrolysis of tires, plastics and electronic waste.
“The moratorium on waste pyrolysis and gasification passed unanimously by the Youngstown City Council sends a strong message, echoing the concerns of Youngstown residents who are opposed to the proposed SOBE project. The safety and environmental risks of waste pyrolysis are particularly troubling, and the facility’s proposed location adjacent to our downtown and vulnerable neighborhoods is not in alignment with our city’s comprehensive plan,” said Tom Hetrick, president of Youngstown City Council. “The 12 month moratorium gives the council the necessary time to evaluate safety concerns, analyze zoning issues, gather additional public input, prioritize environmental justice, and fully exercise the City of Youngstown’s local control over land-use decisions within city limits in order to protect the health, safety, and well-being of our residents.”
SOBE Thermal Energy Systems said it “respects” the city’s “cautious approach,” after the unanimous vote to place a one-year hold on plans for SOBE to convert scrapped tire chips into synthetic gas.
The company plans to use a technology called pyrolysis on North Avenue in downtown Youngstown, to provide heating and cooling to dozens of downtown businesses, and invites the community to discuss the plans further.
In a statement from the company, they acknowledged city council’s decision to further study the technology and is committed to working with the city and community to “foster an understanding of the technology’s benefits.”