The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has rejected Anzu Power’s permit application for a planned facility in Alton, Illinois, after finding that the submission lacked complete and sufficient information. According to documents reported by The Telegraph, Anzu Power applied in May through consultant Tectrix.io for a facility at 8 Cut Street that would process recycled rubber chips purchased from authorized tire recycling and transportation companies. The company has described the project as a carbon-negative waste-to-energy facility, but IEPA reviewers said the application did not provide enough detail on the site, process, emissions, equipment, material handling, storage or environmental impacts. The case has drawn attention because Anzu Power had earlier claimed support or approval while city officials and residents questioned whether the proposed tire pyrolysis and power-generation project had the necessary environmental permits and local authorization.

Application denied for insufficient information

The Illinois EPA denied the application on May 14, four days after it was submitted. The agency said the material provided was not complete enough to determine which permitting program may be necessary and appropriate for the proposed facility.

Reviewers also denied Anzu Power admission to Illinois’ Registration of Smaller Sources program, a simplified permitting option for smaller low-emission facilities, because the company did not demonstrate eligibility.

IEPA questions emissions calculations

The application reportedly estimated potential emissions of 2.48 tons of air pollutants, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. However, IEPA reviewers found problems with the potential-to-emit calculations, including the exclusion of more than 31 days when calculating annual emissions.

The agency also said any increase in emissions must be offset or modeled. The questions around emissions are significant because the proposed site is in an environmental justice area, where regulators give additional attention to potential impacts on low-income or minority communities.

Process and equipment details found lacking

Anzu Power’s application described a facility that would use a continuous pyrolysis system to process recycled rubber chips. However, IEPA reviewers said the supporting diagrams and manufacturer information were insufficient.

The agency identified missing or incomplete information on process diagrams, facility layout maps, equipment currently on site, equipment still to be constructed, material handling, storage, pyrolysis unit manufacturer details, refining of renewable diesel from pyrolysis oil, power-generation equipment, fuel types and cleanup operations.

Company says it would use recycled rubber chips

The application said the proposed facility would process recycled rubber chips purchased from authorized tire recycling and transportation companies, rather than directly recycling waste tires or storing waste items. The proposed operation is therefore linked to tire recycling supply chains through its intended use of processed tire-derived feedstock.

If permitted and built, such a facility could create demand for shredded tire-derived material, but the regulatory review shows that clear technical, environmental and emissions documentation is necessary before tire pyrolysis or tire-to-energy projects can proceed.

Stop-work order remains in place

The project has also faced local permitting issues. Earlier reporting said Alton issued a stop-work order at the site in April, partly because the property lacked the environmental permits required to occupy the lot for construction of a petroleum plant.

As of the latest report, the stop-work order remained in place. Alton City Council members had not approved a special use permit and were continuing to postpone approval while the Illinois EPA reviewed Anzu Power’s applications.

Questions raised over claimed approvals

At a March Alton City Council meeting, Anzu Power representatives faced questions from council members and residents about whether the company had the required approvals. The Illinois EPA later said it had no record at that time of a permit request, permit application or permit in progress for Anzu Power at the Cut Street location.

The company’s application also stated that the project was approved under the Illinois Department of Commerce EDGE program, with a commitment to create at least 85 full-time jobs and invest $82.45 million in Alton. The Telegraph reported that no public-facing EDGE agreement had been posted for Anzu Power, Orion Power Operations or Tectrix.io as of September 3.

Case highlights scrutiny of tire pyrolysis projects

The Anzu Power case illustrates the level of documentation required for projects involving tire-derived feedstocks, pyrolysis, fuel refining and power generation. Regulators need detailed information on emissions, equipment, process design, feedstock handling, storage, cleanup and local environmental impacts before determining the appropriate permit pathway.

For the tire recycling sector, the project also shows the tension between waste-to-energy claims and environmental permitting requirements. While tire-derived feedstocks can support resource recovery, projects must demonstrate that operations meet air quality, waste management and community protection standards before moving toward commercial operation.

Article source: The Telegraph.