Another trash option explored by commission
Staff reporter
Marion County may participate with Harvey County in a proposed waste energy plant.
Roy Patton of Harvey County Solid Waste, said the Harvey County Commission sent him to begin conversations with Marion County regarding the project.
Twenty-five proposals have been sent to build an incinerator facility to convert trash to energy and steam to electricity, Patton said. In order to operate, the facility needs to process 110-120 tons of trash per day or 43,800 tons per year. Harvey County currently generates 80 tons per day and needs to obtain additional trash to obtain the 120-ton goal.
Currently Marion County transports waste 150 miles one way to Hamm Quarries near Lake Perry. This would greatly reduce transportation costs if the waste was hauled to Harvey County instead.
The bids will be reviewed in March, and depending on the cost, construction could begin within 18 months. However if the project comes in more than anticipated, a bond issue would be proposed to Harvey County voters.
This would be the first waste energy plant in the state which could take time to cut through the red tape, Patton said.
The facility will have all new equipment and meet EPA standards. Kansas Department of Health & Environment will license and regulate. The facility can store trash on the floor for 24 hours. It will burn 4.3 tons per hour, 24 hours a day. The facility will be constructed at the Harvey County transfer station site, said Patton.
David Brazil, transfer station manager, said the county currently generates 20-40 tons of trash per day, 55 tons during holidays.
The county would not have to sort the trash because the sorting would be done by Harvey County, said Patton. There also is a construction and demolition dump site near the proposed plant. Paint cans, caulking tubes, and other types of similar waste are not accepted.
The operation also would require tires with the solid waste.
"One ton of trash converts to 4,500-5,000 BTUs," Patton said. He added that Harvey County officials are planning to talk with Westar Energy regarding electrical generation.
Harvey County's plans do not include increasing current tipping fees of $28 per ton. Brazil said Marion County pays $19 per ton but drives farther. Current transportation fees are $2.10 per loaded mile plus a surcharge for increased diesel costs.
Don Rogers and Hank Yoder of Stutzman Refuse Disposal, Inc., also were in attendance. They said Marion County customers have expressed concerns about restrictions of disposal of construction and demolition waste. Brazil said the definition of C&D waste is any materials used for construction or a result of demolition of construction. County residents are restricted to one cubic yard per week of C&D waste collected and dumped at the transfer station. When there is more than that, individuals and haulers are charged accordingly.
Commission chairman Dan Holub asked Brazil to look at pro-rating C&D waste.
