1. Is it right for our community?
ASG Tire Incinerator Presentation 10/02/12 1
2. • Proposed tires-to-energy facility
• Erie-origin
• History from Erie to Crawford
County
• Location
• Close proximity to campus
• Close proximity to Conneaut/Geneva
Marsh
ASG Tire Incinerator Presentation 10/02/12
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3. Negative health impacts on employees
and public at large
Waste and pollutants generated
• Include dioxins & PAHs
“State-of-the-art” filtration and scrubbing
technologies
Follows state standards/guidelines
• criticisms
ASG Tire Incinerator Presentation 10/02/12
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4. Producewaste metal and ash
Wastewater concerns
Conneaut-Geneva Marsh
ASG Tire Incinerator Presentation 10/02/12
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5. Job growth
• Short-term and long-term
Impact on electricity supply
Economic history of tires-to-energy
facilities
Tire supply
ASG Tire Incinerator Presentation 10/02/12
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7. BENEFITS NEGATIVES
Provide economic benefits Environmental impacts
to the region Human health impacts
Employment opportunities Little economic benefit
Environmentally-friendly Imported technology
DEP approved
ASG Tire Incinerator Presentation 10/02/12
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8. Under review
Environmental Hearing Board Appeal
CARE
• October 14th action
8
Hello everyone, welcome to ASG and my presentation about the proposed tire incinerator. A $350 million Personal BackgroundFirst research this through sophomore seminar, fall 2010Wrote an advocacy letter around energy in PA than won national fundingPersonal Bias
In early 2007, Greg Rubinho of Erie Renewable Energy (ERE) proposed a tire incineration plant in the east side of Erie PA, 500 yards from the shoreline and in close proximity to a bunch of schools, residential areas, small business, and an autism research facility. The plant would burn approximately 100,000 tires/day to produce 90 megawatts of electricity and create 60 jobs. MrRubino’s defense was ERE was responding to the increasing demand in energy and the nation’s tire waste problem. Erie and NY residents formed Keep Erie’s Environment Protected (KEEP) shortly after the proposal. The organization was lead by KEEP organized and raised awareness in the community about the proposed polluter. KEEP claims that by generating public outcry was able defeat the proposed tire incinerator whereas Greg Rubinho ERE claimed that the location of the plant within Erie was not economically viableCurrent state- Crawford Renewable Energy lead by Greg Rubinho planes to construct the same facility in Green Township (outside of Meadville, PA)The site is 10 miles south of Meadville and a few miles away from the Geneva-Conneaut Marsh. The plant has become a flashpoint for controversy in the area
-nearly twenty different metals go into tire manufacturing and when tires are combusted-if the plant processes 1000 tons of tires per day (as CRE states) then 154 tons of toxic bottom ash produced/day -along with dioxins, some of the most cariogenic compounds on the plantet-CFB produce 1/10th of pollution than a coal-firing plant -on the other hand produces 3x higher concentration of PAHs (polynuclear-aromatic hydrocarbons) which are more carcinogenicThe incineration of tires releases many emissions such as; Dioxins, Furans, Non-Chlorinated Hydrocarbons, Chorine based pollutants, Volatile Organic Compounds, Heavy metals such as Lead, and Mercury, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons like Benzopyrene and synthetic rubber components such as Butadiene and Styrene. Some other emissions are arsenic, zinc, and chromium. (Tire incineration. 2010) Dioxins and Furans are chemicals Prolonged exposure to NAAQS criteria air pollutants, such as SO2, NOx, and fine particulate matter (PM-2.5), all of which are produced and emitted by TDF processes, have negative effects on the human body, specifically the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, when one is exposed to them at consistent concentrations, and can have different effects on health when certain amounts of each compound is in the body (ATSDR, 1998). -more carcinogenic and dangerous than criteria air pollutants (EPA monitored)The facility would be emitting significant levels of criteria and non-criteria air pollutants, and health effects would be seen in employees and area residents over time. The pollutants produced by TDF processes in varying quantities are capable of causing potentially life-threatening conditions, especially for employees who must work with these TDF processes on a daily basis. The risk to human health would be exacerbated by a catastrophic mishap, and CRE does not seem fully prepared to handle such an event at their proposed facility However it is important to acknowledge that CRE states that it will use state of the art filtration and scrubbing technologies in its smoke stacks to prevent as much pollution as possibleCRE promises to follow all state guidelines/DEP requirements for pollutionDEP risk analysis is based on emissions estimates provided by the company and is based on lower estimates than CARE feels will be emittedOpponents maintain claim that best technology (CFBs) are largely unproven and some studies actually show that burning coal is worse than worse than coal, with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), chlorine (and resulting dioxins, and furans), zinc, ash, and particulate matter emissions being higher
Contrary to CRE's claims that the ash can be used in variety of new products, other sources state that the ash recovered from tires-to-energy facilities is too hazardous or is not suitable for reuse. A representative from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) stated that the ash and the metal recovered after combustion processes are not suitable for the use in development of new productsApproximately 105,120,000 gallons of wastewater will be released into sewer systems each year through non-contact cooling processes marsh is a 5,559 acre wetland spanning about “13 miles from outlet of Conneaut Lake almost to French Creek” (Tautin, 2004). It has been designated as an Important Bird Area by the Audubon Society in hopes of conserving an area vital to rare, threatened, endangered, and common birds alike (Brauning & Criswell, 1999; IBA Program, 2010). Water from marsh to be used in the plantDioxins were found in bald eagle eggs in Washington State and were connected to impaired reproductive success (Anthony et. al., 1993). However, the emission inventory of CRE’s permit application to the Department of Environmental Protection estimates dioxin/furan emissions to be only 0.1 ounces per year, not enough to cause any major problems in wildlife (Crawford Renewable Energy, 2010). questions about how pure that water will stay should CRE’s plant move in nearby The incinerator has the potential to negatively impact this fragile ecosystem.
Job growth created by the CRE plant may prove to be one of the biggest arguments for the adoption of the plans as CRE has noted both long-term job and short-term job growth including 60 long-term jobs will be created by the facility250 short-term jobs over 18 month construction processImpact of the CRE on the regional electricity supply should be negilgibleOnly three tires-to-energy facilities (TEF) have been built in the United States and economic issues have affected all three facilities. CRE estimates 72 thousand scrap tires a day from around the region (CRE). The region including New York, Ohio, and New Jersey has enough tires to generate the plant for 708 days that’s if 72 thousand are burned per day. The scrap tire supply around Pennsylvania will only last about 2 years. Where would the tires come from?In 2007, state regulatory agencies estimated that 128.36 million tires remained in stock piles through the United States, which is a large improvement from previous years
Pros:-job creation in an economically depressed area-through best available technology and recycling processes waste and environmental impact minimized-reuses waste tires and turns it into beneficial fuel-approved by DEP and follows regulationsCons:-Toxic pollutants from tire incineration include sulfur dioxides, dioxin, zinc, mercury, NOx, and VOC’s. These toxins could persist in the air, water, and soil. Surrounding communities would be at risk to acute and chronic health issues. The facility site proposed is just a few miles away from the Geneva-Conneaut Marsh. This marsh is PA’s largest freshwater marsh and home to a breeding bald eagle population. The marsh is also designated as n Important Bird Area by the Audubon Conservation Society. Beyond that, the facility also proposes to draw 105 million gallons of water per year from the marsh. -This facility could lead to the creation of just 60 lasting jobs. As CRE’s technology is imported, it is questionable that Crawford County workers can fill these jobs. There are only enough tires in the region to power the plant for two years, after this tire supply becomes questionable. CRE could either import tires, or resort to burning waste The $350 million being invested in this plant that is not economically sound could instead be invested in truly sustainable energy thatis well suited for this region like wind.
Crawford Area Residents for the Environment (CARE) filed an appeal to the Environmental Hearing Board last December. The Environmental Hearing Board which hears certain environmental cases and hears appeals from actions of the Department of Environmental Protection. Under appropriate circumstances, the Board can issue orders superseding actions of the Department. The appeal process under the Environmental Hearing Board can last anywhere from eight months to over a year. From the appeal process CARE has incurred large legal costs as expert witness costs and the appeal process are very expensive. CARE will be hosting an event on October 14th that serves as a fun event on Geneva marsh, a protest, and a fundraiser
Thank you all for listening to my presentation- I hope you found it worthwhile and informative. I will now take general questions, so please ask any questions this presentation ignited. Understand that some statistical data may not be immediately recalled but still ask as I can find the information following this meeting. ASG will vote: Should ASG not support the tire incinerator and commit to action on this issue?1. A ‘Yes’ vote means that ASG does not support the proposed tire incinerator but will also work through the Sustainability Coordinating Committee along with other ASG members and members of Allegheny College/Crawford County community to stop the facility from being built and pursue alternative economic investment2. A ‘No’ vote means that ASG will indefinitely table this issue, effectively killing any action related to it within ASG.
