The public now has until June 18 at 5 p.m. to send the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency their comments on the draft renewal permit for plastics-to-oil company Alterra Energy. This extension follows a May 28 public hearing at the Akron-Summit County Public Library, where residents expressed their concerns and requested more time to provide their perspectives.
At the hearing, representatives from the Akron Regional Air Quality Management District (ARAQMD) and OEPA shared details about Alterra’s operations and the draft permit, which will allow work to continue while providing limits on the company’s emissions.
Here are some things to know.
What does Alterra do?
Alterra transforms post-consumer plastics into synthetic oil, which can be used to make new plastics or other products. At the East Akron site, located at 1200 E. Waterloo Road, the plastics are fed into an extruder and melted, then heated in a kiln with no oxygen. The material is then sent through a condenser, where it is cooled and the oil is produced.
The oil is stored in tanks, and any non-conductive material (which does not easily conduct electricity) is directed to a vapor combustor unit, where the material is burned using a flare. The facility is required to destroy a minimum of 98% by weight of the volatile organic compounds, the gases that are emitted through this process. Any remaining emissions from the vapor combustor unit are released into the atmosphere.
Why does Alterra need a permit?
Alterra’s first permit was issued in 2012 and was valid for 10 years; the company began operations in 2015. The initial permit was modified a few times, so the permit renewal was delayed, an EPA spokesperson told Signal Akron.
This renewed permit, if approved, will allow Alterra to continue its operations. It would also reduce the maximum amount of plastic the company can feed into its kiln each hour from 6,250 pounds to 5,000 pounds — this change was made because Alterra could not meet the maximum, the EPA spokesperson said.
Some of the concerns at the public hearing were the lack of independent monitoring of Alterra’s production, the plant’s proximity to residential areas and the health impacts of the pollutants released into the air.
The permit is intended to limit the amount of pollutants Alterra can emit and set standards for control measures, operational restrictions, monitoring and recordkeeping, reporting and testing.
What are the requirements for the permit?
Some of the key permit requirements include:
- Emission limitations on carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, fugitive volatile organic compounds and particulates.
- A leak detection and repair program to identify and address potential emissions.
- Restrictions ensuring only end-of-life plastics (plastics that can no longer be used/ plastic waste) from materials recovery facilities, recycling facilities and industrial facilities are processed.
- Requirements for monitoring and reporting the amount of plastic processed, the amount of feed materials produced and marketed and the purchaser of the feedstock.
- Quarterly reports of the amount of plastic processed and the amount of oil produced and annual evaluations of permit compliance.
- An emissions test must be conducted by May 22, 2026, for pollutants including volatile organic compounds, hazardous air pollutants and particulate emissions.
Under the permit, the facility is allowed to emit up to 34.7 tons of volatile organic compounds, 35.2 tons of nitrogen oxides, 13.4 tons of carbon monoxide, 10 tons of sulfur dioxide and 10 tons of particulate matter.
What happens when there is a violation?
If any violation occurs, the ARAQMD will issue a notice of violation and allow Alterra to respond and take corrective action. The notice of violation is also the first step toward escalated enforcement, such as fines or permit suspension, depending on the violation.
The notice of violation letters are public and can be found through the OEPA’s online records system by searching the facility ID (1677011258) or permit number (P0133062).
How does the permit process work?
When the OEPA receives a permit application, it issues a public notice and reviews the application for completeness. Once the permit terms and conditions have been prepared, the OEPA reviews and issues the draft notice and gives public notice.
For cases of what are called significant public interest, like Alterra’s permit, the OEPA holds a public hearing.
After reviewing the public comments made in person and online, the ARAQMD will make a recommendation to the EPA to issue or deny the permit. The OEPA director will take final action on the permit.
How can I make public comments?
Comments may be submitted online or by mail to Laura Miracle, ARAQMD, Summit County Public Health, 1867 W. Market St., Akron, OH 44313.
The public comment deadline is June 18 at 5 p.m.
