YOUNGSTOWN - It's been almost one year since a 21 News 101 West program on pyrolysis and SOBE, the company behind a plant in Youngstown with plans to heat shredded tires into synthetic gas.

A 'SOBE Concerned Citizens' townhall is taking place from 6pm to 8pm Thursday, October 10 on 1105 Elm Street at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Youngstown to discuss current developments regarding SOBE.  

According to the Youngstown Law Department, city leaders are still determining whether they can or will stop the process, called Pyrolysis, from operating in the North Avenue building downtown. 

SOBE Thermal Energy Systems has laid out plans in recent years to expand its operations, which currently convert steam into natural gas.

The new, pyrolysis process would additionally superheat tire chips, and potentially other materials, into synthetic gas to provide more energy downtown. 

It's a plan that has drawn continued controversy from the group, 'SOBE Concerned Citizens,' and some Youngstown leaders.

SOBE's plans have been halted after a moratorium ordinance was passed in December 2023. It was imposed to stop operations temporarily so the city could investigate pyrolysis impacts on community safety and well-being.

The city said this pause has allowed them to look into legalities of zoning laws with questions over safety and potential emissions of pyrolysis in a vicinity surrounding homes, campus apartments, a hospital and all other downtown activity.

The law department said city leaders are still nailing down these issues and will come to a decision before the end of the year.

One option is to extend the moratorium, something Youngstown Councilwoman Anita Davis said she plans to get on the agenda in the coming days.

The moratorium is active until December 26th.

21 News has reached out to SOBE's CEO Thursday to respond to the recent developments. The company has said in the past, they're honoring the current moratorium and committed to working closely with those concerned about safety.