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.
Last week on Thursday 11/14, the Howard County Planning Board held a hearing on this proposed ZRA - and the room was packed!
This week on Thursday 11/21, the Howard County Planning Board will consider the ZRA and make their recommendation on it. Help us pack the room again!
