Waste committee concerned about proposed Smith Township plant

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning County Solid Waste Policy Committee has some concerns about a proposed $250 million waste-burning electric power plant in Smith Township.

The committee instructed Jim Petuch, the county’s recycling director, to write to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and county commissioners. The letter will express concerns about potential air pollution from the proposed Alliance-area plant and ask the OEPA to carefully reconsider the project in terms of the health and safety of nearby residents.

“The air pollution concern is paramount,” Petuch said after the committee’s meeting today.

The facility, to be known as the Mahoning Renewable Energy plant, would occupy about 30 acres at Transload America’s Central Waste landfill, 12003 Oyster Road.

For the complete story, see Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com