Creating Tomorrow’s Energy
Historically known for its resilience, murals that adorn the Ohio riverfront and quilting, Paducah today is taking another step toward innovation.
Green Mountain Energy LLC is proposing to develop an unused property in Paducah to build a facility designed to transform hard-to-recycle plastic waste into useful petroleum products.
About the Project
The proposed plastics-to-fuel processing facility will use a newly commercialized technology – Plastic to Renewable Fuel (PRF).
PRF involves applying heat to materials in the absence of oxygen similar to other technologies but utilizes cost saving aspects that makes this technology more efficient, cost effective, and capable of producing better products . This process prevents the material from burning and converts the material into a different, usable material, such as fuel.
The technology enables today’s waste to become tomorrow’s new energy resource.
Environmental Stewardship
By repurposing plastics typically diverted to landfills, Green Mountain Energy LLC is limiting negative impacts on the environment. The plastic materials would be transported primarily by barge with some truck offloading likely. The materials then would be shredded, checked for metals, and mixed for consistency. The mixture is then melted and injected into our process where heat and other factors are combined to crack the compounds and reassemble them into typical compounds found in liquid fuels. Most manufactured fuel will be for off-road diesel purposes but naphtha and other liquid products will also be made. The process also separates out gases typical to natural gas which will be used internally to assist in the heating process.
Commitment to Community
The feedback from the communities in which Green Mountain Energy LLC is working is important. In addition, McCracken County representatives and Green Mountain Energy LLC look forward to building partnerships with residents and area organizations.
Public Input Opportunities
In order to begin construction, the Project needs to receive permits from several federal and state agencies, including the Kentucky Division for Air Quality.
Green Mountain Energy, LLC has applied to the Kentucky Division for Air Quality for a permit to construct/operate the facility at 7545 Noble Road in West Paducah.
Official copies of the Kentucky Division for Air Quality draft permit and relevant supporting information are available for review at https://eec.ky.gov/Environmental-Protection/Air/Pages/PublicNotices.aspx and during normal business hours at:
The Kentucky Division for Air Quality
Paducah Regional Office
130 Eagle Nest Drive
Paducah, KY 42003
(270) 898-8468
Division for Air Quality
300 Sower Boulevard
2ndFloor, Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone (502) 564-3999
To allow opportunity for the public to comment on the draft air permit, the Division has opened a 30-day comment period from Sept 5, 2025 to Oct 5, 2025. Those interested in submitting comments and/or public hearing requests may send information to Michelle McCloskey AIRKentucky@ky.gov or at the above address.
Any person who requests a public hearing must state the issues to be raised at the hearing. If the Division finds that a hearing will contribute to the decision-making process by clarifying significant issues affecting the draft permit, a hearing will be announced. All relevant comments will be considered in issuing the final permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Following a successful air permit:
Six months engineering
Eighteen months construction
Six to twelve months ramp-up to full production
The facility will have a low-carbon footprint that contributes to achieving Kentucky’s environmental and economic goals. Green Mountain Energy LLC also will implement operating practices that meet or exceed federal and state environmental guidelines for sustainability.
Area schools, social-service organizations and first responders will benefit from revenue generated by the facility, contributing to the region’s economic stability and environmental goals. Additionally, the facility will employ over 600 workers during construction and employ approximately 55 people throughout operations.
The facility supports Kentucky’s goals by reducing landfill waste and creating an energy resource from plastics that would otherwise be discarded. The low-carbon operating footprint also contributes to statewide sustainability objectives and economic growth tied to green energy solutions.
Transportation will comply with the U.S. Department of Transportation regulations for material handling. Green Mountain Energy LLC also will implement safety and containment protocols for loading, unloading, and transit to limit risk of spills or contamination.
Green Mountain Energy LLC is committed to being a good neighbor. To limit temporary impacts typically associated with construction projects, Green Mountain Energy LLC will work with local authorities to develop a management plan designed to limit traffic, noise and dust impacts.
Green Mountain Energy LLC’s process is designed to limit environmental impact by reusing non-condensable gases to fuel the system. This reduces external emissions. External emissions will be limited and comply with stringent federal and state air quality regulations.
Contact Us
For additional information about the proposed project or if you have questions, please call or email Green Mountain Energy LLC.