A proposal to annually burn tens of millions of car tires to produce electricity at a facility in Erie, Pennsylvania is raising concerns among environmentalists and regional residents over mercury and other emissions.
"Green is not the color most people would associate with burning tires.
But that's how developers of a proposed tire-fueled power plant in hardscrabble Erie, Pa., describe their project. They say the plant, which would turn 900 tons of tires each day into a 90-megawatt power supply, would be an ecologically beneficial investment since it would keep tires out of landfills or illegal dumps and generate electricity with one-tenth the emissions of traditional coal-fired power plants.
If it receives needed state approval, Erie Renewable Energy's project would be the largest power plant in the world burning 'tire-derived fuel,' or TDF."
"Among other things, mercury emissions from the plant would likely exacerbate the contamination of fish in Lake Erie, tightening existing consumption limits. ERE's permit application lists a potential of 3 pounds of mercury emissions per year. The ERE facility's proposed 300-foot smokestack would lessen the emissions impact on the immediate area, but residents and officials of New York, just 13 miles to the east, and Canada have also expressed concern about the plant.
Opponents concerned about health and environmental effects say power generation is just a way to disguise what is really a giant tire incinerator. [As one opponent put it] 'Erie just built a new convention center. How many tourists are going to want to come to the city with the world's largest tire incinerator? It's like something out of The Simpsons.'"
FULL STORY: Burning Tires for Power: Green Energy or Health Hazard?

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie