SUGARLOAF, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A proposal for a plastic pyrolysis plant by Alterra Energy has been withdrawn.
A public records request revealed a letter from Alterra Energy to Sugarloaf Township Board of Supervisors that officially withdrew the proposal for the facility.
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The pyrolysis plant would have brought in large amounts of plastic waste for high-heat processing to be recycled, a process that critics say could potentially release toxic pollutants.
Residents of the area and environmental advocates celebrated the withdrawal of the plans. “Pyrolysis is bad for our health and perpetuates the plastics crisis by creating more demand for harmful plastics when we should be doing the opposite," said Sean Hoffmann, legislative director of Clean Air Action. We all want good jobs and economic growth in our communities, but that shouldn't come at the cost of our health and our land."
According to the letter from Alterra Energy, the reason for withdrawing the proposal stems from a deal change with the landowner of the proposed build site. Alterra Energy alleges that the landowner instead intends to market the land to a potential data center project.
Alterra Energy says it intends to look for other sites in Pennsylvania to construct the facility.
