Restream/PSEP asks council to extend land‑development approval for Keystone energy project as site and financing work continues

Representatives for Pottstown Sustainable Energy Park (PSEP) and Restream Energy described progress and requested a three‑year extension of a prior land‑development approval for 451 Keystone Boulevard at the Committee of the Whole meeting Jan. 8.

Counsel said the original resolution included a three‑year completion timeframe but also allowed the borough to grant an extension for "good or compelling cause." PSEP/Restream representatives told the committee they have secured multiple regulatory approvals (including county conservation district and FEMA letters), completed substantial geotechnical sampling, received feedstock contracts and a $35 million loan guarantee backed in part by a major energy partner, and purchased both 405 and 451 Keystone Boulevard to provide collateral and space for operations.

The team described the technical next steps: raising the 10‑acre site (an estimated multi‑truckload fill operation), finalizing site plans with engineering and Phoenix Group (an industrial plant design partner), and negotiating electric capacity and rail access. They also said the project will remove about 7,100 tons per day of landfill‑bound cellulose and convert it into higher‑value products including biochar and industrial pellets; a byproduct stream may include graphene‑style materials for advanced industrial uses. Counsel told the committee a resolution to extend the approval will be placed on Monday's council agenda and that staff recommended granting the extension.

No council vote was taken during the Committee meeting; staff said a resolution extending the time would be on the next council agenda. The project representatives asked for the additional time to complete permitting, site preparation and financing steps that they said are substantially underway.