steelmaking with plastic fuel coal replacement
Credit: miraclemoments/BigStock

Biden’s push for plastic as a coal replacement sparks environmental backlash

A Pennsylvania company’s plan to turn plastic waste into fuel for steelmaking, backed by a $182.6 million federal loan guarantee, is drawing sharp criticism from environmentalists who say the project is anything but green.

James Bruggers reports for Inside Climate News.


In short:

  • The U.S. Department of Energy is funding a project to replace coal with plastic waste in steel production, claiming it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Environmental groups argue that burning plastic is not a viable climate solution and could worsen air pollution in disadvantaged communities.
  • The Energy Department’s decision is under scrutiny as critics push for investment in cleaner, proven technologies like hydrogen.

Key quote:

“There are no steel mills in the United States that burn plastic. No one has any idea what the emissions profile of burning plastic will be.”

— Jane Williams, chair of Sierra Club’s national clean air team

Why this matters:

Burning plastic as fuel could introduce new toxic emissions, raising health concerns in communities already burdened by pollution, while potentially delaying the transition to truly clean energy alternatives. Read more: Every stage of plastic production and use is harming human health.

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Credit: Oswaze/BigStock Photo ID: 255596017

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Maggie Astor reports for The New York Times.

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