YOUNGSTOWN A citizens group who's voiced several concerns about the SOBE Thermal Energy Solutions pyrolysis plant in downtown Youngstown is now asking the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to rescind the permit it granted to the facility.

The Ohio EPA approved SOBE's 10-year pyrolysis permit in February of 2024. Following this, the City of Youngstown filed an appeal with the Environmental Appeals Commission (ERAC) to have that permit rescinded.

This effort was supported by the group SOBE Concerned Citizens, who held a town hall meeting in August of 2025 to collect signatures on a letter to the Ohio EPA director to rescind the permit.

According to a press release from SOBE Concerned Citizens, over 220 Youngstown residents signed that letter.

In addition to the request to r

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