Concerned Howard County residents and environmentalists rallied Tuesday evening in support of a recent decision to overturn the zoning approval for a proposed plastic recycling plant project. 

'Stop Grace Coalition', a community leading much of the fight to stop  from building a pilot plastic recycling plant for research in Columbia, hosted the rally. 

The goal of the event was to continue to put pressure on county and state leaders to conduct a more comprehensive environmental and community review of the project, according to organizers.

"There's too much at stake. This project does not belong in our residential communities and neighborhoods. It's simply wrong," said Lisa Krausz, co-facilitator of the grassroots effort.

Nusrat Siddique, who lives in Cedar Creek, one of the neighborhoods closest to the W.R. Grace facility, says she is worried about her young children's health and safety.

"My house is probably a little more than 200 feet away from the facility," Siddique said. "I can literally look at it from my kitchen. Explosions can happen. Fires can happen, and it's literally right in our backyard. I can't imagine if they are doing this type of project that I would be comfortable with my kids just playing outside."

W.R. Grace says the pilot plant is not more susceptible to fires, explosions, or chemical spills.

Others are concerned about unknown environmental and health impacts.

"There is no way to know what is being emitted is benign or carcinogenic," said Dave Arndt, a climate and social justice advocate.

W.R. Grace says the pilot plant is focused on testing new plastics recycling processes. 

"It operates on a small scale, using research-scale reactors, chillers, separators, feeders, and samplers to study the chemical processes involved in our plastics recycling solution," the company said in a statement.

W.R. Grace says no plastics will be burned or incinerated. 

Residents appeal permit for proposed plant

Residents have shared concerns that the plant could bring pollution and increase health risks. 

Some worry about toxic leaks, fires, and long-term damage to air and water quality. W.R. Grace denies any health or safety impacts, per the company's website.

In June, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) approved a permit to construct the facility. This decision came after the county Department of Planning and Zoning's (DPZ) determined the facility did not violate zoning conditions earlier this year.

But neighbors challenged that decision and won, overturning the county's decision in July.

The county hearing examiner found that DPZ's investigation into the proposed plant was insufficient, as it relied on W.R. Grace's self-classification of permitted zoning uses. 

The matter was sent back to DPZ for further review, and use of the building where the plant would be is paused until the review is complete. W.R. Grace appealed this decision last week, and now the fate of the project proposal will head to the County Board of Appeals. 

Both sides will need to present their cases at two sessions scheduled for August and September.

Howard County Council Member Deb Jung commended the decision during Tuesday's rally.

"The truth is that DPZ did not do an investigation. They had no findings. They did not determine that pyrolysis is an existing use," Jung said.

What's next for the Stop Grace Coalition?

Work for the Stop Grace Coalition is not complete. The group wants the MDE to fully rescind the air permit that is currently under review.

"The Stop Grace Coalition is calling on MDE to withdraw the air permit that lacks zoning approval and ignores residents' concerns," the group said in a statement.

They are also asking for a full "local environmental and community impact review" before any more permits are granted.

Residents of Columbia's Cedar Creek community and the Stop Grace Coalition are preparing for another Howard County Board of Appeals hearing.

What has W.R. Grace said about the proposed facility?

According to W.R. Grace, the facility will not burn plastic but focus on developing safer and more effective recycling methods.

The company stated in a press release to WJZ that it is "committed to continuing to operate in accordance with all laws and regulations."

"MDE's thorough, fact-based review has concluded and determined that our project will have no impact on the surrounding community or the environment, and DPZ properly determined that we are in full compliance with the zoning laws," W.R. Grace said in a statement. "We recognize and share our neighbors' desire to keep this a safe, healthy place to live and work and are committed to continuing to operate in accordance with all laws and regulations."