Mayor announces temporary coal-ash refining demonstration on former CEI site

The mayor announced that PHNX, working with state and federal agencies and private investors, will open a temporary demonstration refinement facility called "Jupiter" on the former CEI property in Eastlake.

According to the mayor, the Phoenix process will convert coal ash into materials useful for infrastructure and agriculture and will be a short-term demonstration running for six months to a year. "Jupiter will bring an estimated $2,000,000 to $3,000,000 of local economic activity, more than 10 jobs," the mayor said, and officials emphasized the project would proceed with support from the Ohio Department of Development and the U.S. Department of Energy without the use of city dollars.

City staff described the use as a proving ground to gather data for a new manufacturing process; if the demonstration succeeds, the mayor said Phoenix plans to replicate compact refineries at other ash sites. Council did not take a formal vote on the announcement at the meeting; staff said permitting and oversight would follow existing regulatory channels.