Date: October 29, 2025
To: John Logue
Director, Ohio EPA
Ohio EPA - Director's Office
PO Box 1049
Columbus, Ohio 43216-1049
Re: Facility ID: 0250110024; Permit Number: P0132799
Dear Director Logue,
On behalf of over 93,000 Moms Clean Air Force members in Ohio, including Youngstown, we urge you to rescind the air permit issued to SOBE Thermal Energy, LLC on February 14, 2024. The permit allows for the use of pyrolysis to incinerate tires and plastic waste resulting in synthetic gas intended to replace some of the natural gas currently used to fuel two boilers. There is no benefit to the community for this public utility facility to use pyrolysis in order to create highly polluting fuel.
In fact, burning tires and plastic waste creates a very dangerous and unhealthy environment for the surrounding community which includes college students utilizing Youngstown State University housing only a couple of blocks away. Plastic pyrolysis creates toxic air pollutants including dioxins, benzene, and formaldehyde. It releases particulate matter and heavy metals, including mercury and arsenic. The resulting synthetic gas burned as fuel releases more toxic chemicals into the air causing additional negative effects on the environment and people’s health. These operations are also prone to explosions and fires, a frequent occurrence at other plastics incinerators and a high priority safety concern for the Youngstown community.
Youngstown residents have made it clear that they do not want plastic pyrolysis in their city. Youngstown City Council approved a moratorium on pyrolysis operations for the past two years, and many residents have signed their names to a petition asking for the rescinding of the permit.
Now that SOBE Thermal Energy is no longer the owner of the facility, which is currently in receivership, the permit is in limbo. We do not know if it will be included in the sale of the facility as part of the receivership proceeding. It is time to listen to the community and immediately rescind this permit rather than allow the possibility of it being passed along to a new owner without proper review or public input.
Given the potential for this permit to be transferred without adequate oversight, we request that the Ohio EPA immediately rescind permit P0132799 issued to SOBE Thermal Energy, LLC.
Sincerely,
Moms Clean Air Force, Ohio Chapter
Amanda Rowoldt
Rachel Meyer