Critical Community Connections

Unfortunately, that includes historic environmental injustices that hurt these communities. Having grown up in Youngstown, I still experience pollution caused by steel mills and local industry to this day. I witnessed extractive out-of-town businesses exploiting our natural resources. And I saw firsthand the impacts of the train derailment and unnecessary toxic chemical burnoff in nearby East Palestine.

Without a doubt, our region has been hit hard. Despite this, my connections with community members, elected leaders, and Ohio Environmental Council colleagues creates space to envision — and work toward — a healthier future. Our recent work in Youngstown demonstrates the importance of cultivating these connections for good.

In early 2022, SOBE Thermal Energy Systems announced it would expand operations at its gas-fired steam plant with unproven advanced gasification technology to provide more capacity for Youngstown customers. Immediately, local residents formed SOBE Concerned Citizens and voiced their worries about burning tires, plastic, and e-waste in their backyard. Hearing these concerns, I alerted OEC’s policy and legal experts. Ultimately, we determined this technology would produce more greenhouse gas emissions and pose significant public health uncertainties for the surrounding community.

As a result, I connected the OEC with the community to advocate against SOBE. We amplified concerned resident voices and provided science-backed testimony to inform decision makers. And in December 2023, Youngstown City Council passed legislation that established a year-long pause on the plant’s proposed future operations.