The City of Youngstown will vote next Wednesday, November 20 on continuing its 1-year moratorium on pyrolysis and gasification involving the combustion of tires, chipped tires, plastic waste, or electronic waste within the city.

Last December, the city council unanimously imposed a one-year moratorium against SOBE Thermal Energy's plans to move a waste-to-energy plant in Downtown Youngstown. 

Last year, SOBE CEO David Ferro said SOBE "reiterates its commitment to providing environmentally responsible and cost-effective energy solutions to Youngstown."

SOBE received its permit to install and operate the facility in February 2024.

Law Director Lori Shells-Simmons told 21 News that the city has been meeting all year and feels that they don't have enough information on pyrolysis and gasification to move forward safely and needs an additional year to study the matter. 

"I believe that the citizens are concerned about it," said Jason Small, Senior Assistant Law Director with the City of Youngstown. "And there needs to be more time for investigation by the Mayor, city council, and all the elements of the city."

The Ohio SOBE would use scraps of tire chips without air to extract a gas, known as synthesis gas, or syngas, and burn the gas in boilers to produce hot water. This would create heat for SOBE's 30-plus clients. 

Small said the city is looking into "what's best for the city overall," but did not detail what still needs to be analyzed on its end.

It's unclear if zoning laws could be modified as another way to deter SOBE, its current property is part of a "mixed-use community zone" that allows the company to operate.

The item is listed on the agenda for a vote at Wednesday's City Council meeting.

21 News reached out to Mr. Ferro about where he stands on the matter and did not hear back.