WR Grace in Columbia, Maryland has proposed to build a pilot project to study chemical recycling. Chemical recycling, despite its name, is not recycling, but instead a chemical process that converts plastic waste into low-grade fossil fuel or other chemicals. Grace proposes to create this new facility at their property in Columbia, where a neighborhood sits a mere 80 yards away.
The process itself is toxic, and across the country facilities have been plagued by fires, explosions, and environmental pollution. Establishing a buffer would give residents more protection from the risks intrinsic to this experimental process.
Residents of Howard County have submitted a Zoning Regulation Amendment (ZRA) to Howard County requesting a buffer between corporations like W.R. Grace & Company and neighborhoods like Cedar Creek to ensure residents in neighborhoods have a safe buffer distance from companies doing research and development (R&D) to keep the neighborhoods safe from carcinogens, fires, explosions, accidents, leaks, etc. that could result from R&D from companies like W.R. Grace.
The exciting news is Howard County Planning Board will hold the hearing for this ZRA on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2024 at 7 pm ET.
This is the BIGGEST opportunity to get the ZRA passed and we need your help to pack the 300 person room so Howard County sees how serious we are about wanting a buffer for the safety, health, and wellness of Howard County's kids and adults. If the community does not show up, then the county may think this is not a big deal.
