FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Elle Thoni, People Over Petro Coalition, Email: elle@peopleoverpetro.org | Phone: 507-421-2673
Public comment period for Alterra Energy extended to June 18th
Akron, OH – After more than 1000 comments submitted, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has extended the public comment period for the draft permit renewal for Alterra Energy, one of Ohio’s oldest plastic incinerators. Located in East Akron, Alterra Energy converts hard-to-recycle plastics into petrochemical fuel, a process that industry calls “advanced recycling” but comes with a heavy pollution price tag. The new draft permit would allow Alterra’s facility to emit 35 tons of nitrogen oxide and 34 tons of volatile organic compounds every year – a whopping five times more than their previous permit.
Patricia McKeon, a member of the community group People Over Polymers, said this “We have been working hard to spread awareness about the impacts of the Alterra facility. Many of us can smell burning plastic from our homes. We are extremely concerned about the health impacts – especially to our youth and elderly population.”
Local advocates assert that the new draft permit, which comes after Alterra failed multiple EPA stack tests, is a major environmental justice concern and should be regulated under the Clean Air Act. Alterra has been operating in East Akron since 2012, and releases chemicals known to cause respiratory and reproductive illnesses, heart disease, and cancer – a concern for many families who live nearby. According to the Environmental and Climate Justice Screening Tool, East Akron already has higher rates of heart disease and asthma than 90% of the country.
With this extension, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency will continue to accept public comments on this issue until June 18th at 5pm. Comments may be sent to Laura Miracle, Air Quality Manager, at lmiracle@schd.org.
About People Over Polymers:
People Over Polymers is an Akron-based group of concerned residents focused on spreading awareness about the impacts of environmental pollution and environmental injustice on public health. For more information on this issue, please visit People Over Polymers website at popakron.org/permit