# Santa Palomba waste-to-energy plant development > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/santa-palomba-waste-to-energy-plant-development > Updated: 2026-09-23T09:46:16.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2. The Santa Palomba waste-to-energy plant project in Rome has moved from land expansion to environmental scrutiny. Initially, Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri authorized the acquisition of approximately 39,700 square meters of additional land for 5.5 million euros to facilitate road and hydraulic requirements for the facility. Following these developments, regional councilor Alessandra Zeppieri launched an inquiry into the construction site due to suspected asbestos handling. This inquiry was prompted by reports of nighttime operations involving excavators and the movement of materials that appeared to create dust clouds. Zeppieri has requested documentation to verify remediation plans and ensure adherence to safety protocols to prevent fiber dispersion. New allegations from the Union of Committees against the incinerator have intensified these concerns. The group reported seeing workers in full white protective suits and large bags of material designated for hazardous waste during nighttime operations on September 18 and 19. Local committees suggest the material may be asbestos buried in the site since the 1960s or 1970s when the land served as a landfill. They have also reported exceeding contamination thresholds for heavy hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and cobalt. Consequently, committees are formally requesting that Arpa Lazio and the ASL conduct site characterization and suspend excavations. Opposition has expanded into organized public activism. The group Rete Tutela Roma Sud e Castelli Romani has launched an information campaign targeting schools and families. A national demonstration is planned for October 3 at 10:00 AM in Rome’s Piazza della Repubblica to discuss the environmental and health implications of the project. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-23: Santa Palomba incinerator site faces asbestos allegations Allegations of asbestos presence and hazardous material handling at the Santa Palomba incinerator site in Rome have prompted calls for urgent environmental investigations and public demonstrations. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/santa-palomba-inquiry-launched-over-suspected-asbestos-handling ### 2026-08-27: Santa Palomba waste-to-energy plant acquires new land Rome is acquiring 39,700 square meters of land for the Santa Palomba waste-to-energy plant in a 5.5 million euro operation involving AMA S.p.A. and RenewRome S.r.l. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/santa-palomba-waste-to-energy-plant-expands-land-via-55-million-euro-acquisition --- Cite as: Santa Palomba waste-to-energy plant development. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/santa-palomba-waste-to-energy-plant-development