Mike Sauers
May 14, 2023
Decades ago the fossil fuel industry convinced the world that extracted coal, oil and gas were the supreme sources of energy. They knew at that time how dirty and polluting these energy sources were/are but they assured us that the positives outweighed the negatives. Of course, projections of enormous profits sealed the deal.
In addition to promoting fossil fuels for energy, the industry began a campaign to promote plastics derived from fossil fuels. Industries, investors, politicians, governments, trade unions and many ancillary businesses began making money. The problems associated with fossil fuels and plastics were kept on the down low for as long as possible but eventually they began to surface. Scarred land, polluted waters and fouled air became obvious along with their associated health risks. The health and environmental problems derived from fossil fuels/plastics are well documented and very lengthy. Humanity is now running around with its hair on fire trying to slow down the effects of fossil fuel use on a severely overpopulated world. At a minimum this is a daunting task.
The fossil fuel/plastic industry has a problem. They are in a panic mode. A critical mass of people see them for what they are. They are being turned away from life style decisions on every level. Consumers are beginning to change purchasing habits. Investors are beginning to change investing strategies. Learners are becoming “woke” to the aforementioned negatives of fossil fuels/plastics. Alternative energy projects are skyrocketing. Is it too little and too late? Hopefully, not!
We are so mired in plastics that one may feel very overwhelmed. They are everywhere including inside our bodies, even in mother’s milk! Economics has forced almost all industries to package their products in plastics. Single serve plastics are standard fare in the food industry. Pre, during and post use plastics drape us like a cheap suit. They pollute waterways, highways, streets, playgrounds, etc. Yikes! Recycling plastics is both a nightmare and a failure. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Encina is a desperate measure. It touts a circular economy. It is tantamount to putting a bandaid on a gaping wound. It is like cutting a birthday cake with a toothpick. Why, you may ask? Well, let’s take a look.
As much as I can determine their technology is shaky at best. Plastics pyrolysis is fraught with serious problems. It is a complex process that requires sophisticated technology. It requires large amounts of energy, water and expertise to avoid negative outcomes. Encina’s investment is huge. They have applied for a Department of Energy, Title XVII loan guarantee program (taxpayer dollars or corporate welfare as I call it). They say that they will not seek LERTA but the proof will be in the pudding. They seem to have no real experience at this process. To the best of my knowledge, local citizens are still waiting for information from from a “similar” project in San Antonio, Texas. There is no guarantee that the employees will be union.
Encina selected a rural, sparsely populated township, Point Township, just south of Danville, PA. This is standard operating procedure since smaller, under resourced communities have historically had a difficult time researching and determining the appropriateness of billion dollar proposals. Industries get help from local and state economic development organizations who bend over backwards to welcome such proposals. Promises of jobs and increased tax revenues usually lead the parade.
Their location is dependent on water and lots of it. They propose taking up to 2.9 million gallons of water PER DAY out of the already compromised Susquehanna River. Compromised, how so? The Susquehanna River is already impacted by acid mine drainage, overwhelmed sewage treatment plants, agricultural runoff, industrial effluent, untreated industrial and residential rain water runoff and acid rain. WOW! About 40% of the water they draw from the river will be lost to evaporation. The other 60%, after being used for processing purposes, will be returned to the river. This means that, even under the best of circumstances, allowed amounts of additional pollutants will be dumped into the river. Micro-plastics and forever chemicals are the major concerns. Does anyone actually eat fish from the Susquehanna River?
Number 3 through 7 plastics are the target of Encina. They will be brought in by tractor trailers. About 100 trucks per day will clog up local roads that are already very busy. After storing and processing these plastics the resultant, marketable chemical components will be shipped out by rail. STOP! We all just witnessed the recent derailment catastrophe in Palestine, Ohio with all of its predictable, negative consequences. STOP! We all just witnessed the enormous black clouds of carcinogenic smoke from a catastrophic plastics plant fire in Richmond, Indiana. Aside from the proponents and obvious stakeholders who would want this proposal to go through? Nobody I know! The environmental, health and quality of life issues far outweigh any benefits tax revenues and jobs might produce.
A recent editorial in the Bloomsburg Press Enterprise (4-18-23) seemed to give the Encina project a stamp of approval. Of course, I respectfully disagree. One note of agreement is that we need to change our lifestyles. They assert that this would be an uncomfortable conversation. Again, I respectfully disagree. Did someone say, BOYCOTT PLASTICS!
Concepts such as Encina falsely justify the continued production of polluting fossil fuel plastics and supply the polluting fracking industry with a market.
As always, there is much more. Do some research. Start by going to Saveoursusquehanna.org. Make it an issue.