Waste Energy Corp. will no longer build a waste-to-energy facility in Fayetteville after residents, already dealing with PFAS contamination, raised concerns about pollution.
Claire C. Carter reports for The Fayetteville Observer.
In short:
- Waste Energy Corp. planned to convert plastic into diesel fuel using pyrolysis at a site zoned for heavy industrial use.
- Residents feared the project would worsen pollution, particularly in an area already affected by PFAS from the nearby Chemours plant.
- The company will still consider using the site for plastic collection but is seeking another location for the facility.
Key quote:
"This is a slap in the face to the community, especially after the millions of taxpayer dollars spent to rebuild and rejuvenate this neighborhood."
— Charles Evans, former Cumberland County commissioner
Why this matters:
Fayetteville residents have raised concerns about their health, their water, and the fairness of a system that often places heavy industry near homes, schools, and waterways. The backdrop to this latest conflict is the region’s long history with PFAS contamination, a group of so-called "forever chemicals" linked to serious health risks.
This case also shines a light on the power of zoning laws — often overlooked but deeply influential in determining where factories, refineries, and chemical plants can be built. While industry leaders argue such projects bring jobs and economic growth, residents say they’re paying the price in declining air and water quality. The opposition in Fayetteville is not just about one site; it’s about a pattern of environmental decision-making that has left some communities fighting the same battles over and over again.
Related: Hog waste-to-gas: Renewable energy or more hot air?
