Spokane7
56°
Regional solid waste system
Contracts that created the Spokane Regional Solid Waste System call for the city to retain ownership of the Waste-to-Energy Plant even though county ratepayers helped pay for it.
More information
Summary
Establishing a garbage democracy in Spokane County may prove as difficult as bringing representative government to Afghanistan.
City officials had shown little interest in Spokane County commissioners’ call for transferring control of the Spokane Regional Solid Waste System to a health-district-style coalition. But on Feb. 3, 2011, a group of regional officials including Spokane Mayor Mary Verner tentatively agreed to form such a coalition.
The city would continue to own the Waste-to-Energy Plant and transfer stations in Spokane Valley and Colbert – as guaranteed by current contracts. But the new solid waste system wouldn’t be obligated to use Spokane’s facilities or services.
A host of thorny details are to be worked out by a committee, but the basic framework is a regional board with authority to contract with Spokane or any other service provider.
Contracts that created the Spokane Regional Solid Waste System call for the city to retain ownership of the Waste-to-Energy Plant even though county ratepayers helped pay for it.
Wheelabrator Spokane’s contract to operate the plant expires Nov. 16, 2011. It says Wheelabrator may take over another company’s winning bid – leaving other companies little incentive to bid.
The chance of three-year extension of Wheelabrator Spokane’s contract to operate the Waste-to-Energy Plant is an open question. The proposed extension would remove contract terms that discourage other operators from bidding in the future, but would require $18 million worth of plant improvements.
Under the new regional system, every member government will have a seat on the board of directors. Voting is to be weighted in some fashion, perhaps by the amount of garbage residents contribute.
If Spokane chooses to join the system, as owners of the Waste-to-Energy Plant it could be a service vendor as well as a voting member.
Filter
By content type
Latest updates in this topic
-
Spokane’s secret deal with Dow AgroSciences wasn’t legal
April 26, 2012 in City on Page A6 Spokane city leaders last year agreed to keep a settlement with a chemical company secret even though state law prevents them from doing so. The 2011 settlement with Dow AgroSciences … 5
-
City settles compost suit with Dow
March 8, 2012 in City on Page A6 A decade ago, Spokane was stuck with thousands of tons of unwanted compost that killed tomato plants. It was a mixture, city officials said at the time, that forced the … 1
-
City OKs Waste-to-Energy deal
August 30, 2011 in City on Page A6 City leaders on Monday agreed for the second time this year to a deal that keeps Spokane’s Waste-to-Energy Plant open another three years. The Spokane City Council voted 6-1 to … 5
-
Waste disposal costs to rise
August 25, 2011 in City on Page A6 Revisions in the contract for operating Spokane’s garbage incinerator would contribute to a proposed 10.2 percent increase in countywide garbage disposal costs. County commissioners directed their staff Wednesday to take … 2
-
Spokane City Council approves plan for more recycling
June 14, 2011 in City on Page A8 Spokane residents will soon get the ability to recycle more at the curb under a 10-year contract approved Monday by the Spokane City Council. The council voted 6-1 to approve … 1
-
Broader recycling options coming to Spokane
June 13, 2011 in News, City Spokane residents will soon get the ability to recycle more at the curb under a 10-year contract approved Monday by the Spokane City Council. The council voted 6-1 to approve … 13
-
On a quest for renewable energy
March 26, 2011 in City on Page A1 Wind turbines are sprouting in parts of the state, their giant stalks and slowly churning blades rendering futuristic landscapes. To supporters of a law that required utilities to use more … 46
-
I Love Clean Air Day attunes children to environment
February 13, 2011 in City on Page B3 Valentine’s Day is usually about loving other people. Children showed their love for the environment Saturday at I Love Clean Air Day, an event filled with activities at Mobius Kids. … 1
-
Commissioners approve incinerator improvements
February 9, 2011 in City on Page A7 Getting rid of a ton of garbage may cost about $12 more next year if the Spokane City Council accepts an agreement county commissioners offered Tuesday. Commissioners unanimously approved a … 4
-
County set to approve amendments to Waste-to-Energy Plant contract
February 8, 2011 in City on Page A6 County commissioners are ready to bless a plan to make Spokane’s garbage burner more competitive with regional landfills. The deal, which could be approved today, would allow Spokane to order … 3
-
Garbage deal taking shape with proposal for regional board
February 4, 2011 in News, City on Page A1 Public officials throughout Spokane County agreed Thursday to create a new regional garbage-disposal system that might not use Spokane’s Waste-to-Energy Plant. A host of thorny details are to be worked … 1
-
County, cities review waste system plans
February 3, 2011 in City on Page A6 More than 50 people turned out Wednesday for the first day of a conference to form a new plan for garbage disposal in Spokane County. Twenty-two officials from Spokane County … 1
-
Mayor now says she’ll attend waste summit
February 1, 2011 in City on Page A5 Spokane Mayor Mary Verner reversed course Monday and said she will attend this week’s Solid Waste Summit after all. Verner had said she thought the city and Spokane County were … 5
-
Regional waste summit on, with or without Spokane
January 29, 2011 in City on Page A6 Next week’s regional Solid Waste Summit will occur regardless of whether Spokane participates, County Commission Chairman Al French announced Friday. The two-day gathering of local government officials throughout the county … 2
-
Verner or not, garbage summit is a go
January 28, 2011 in News, City Next week’s regional Solid Waste Summit will occur with or without Spokane participation, County Commission Chairman Al French announced Friday. The two-day gathering of local government officials throughout the county … 5
-
City, county plan waste summit
January 12, 2011 in City on Page A6 Spokane County commissioners slogged through garbage issues for three hours Tuesday on their way to a Solid Waste Summit. They authorized Chairman Al French to join Spokane Mayor Mary Verner … 1
-
City OKs incinerator deal
January 11, 2011 in City on Page A6 The fate of a $25 million contract to operate the city’s West Plains trash incinerator will rest with Spokane County commissioners. The Spokane City Council on Monday voted 6-1 to … 1
-
County proposes garbage summit
January 7, 2011 in City on Page A5 Public officials are seeking a “fast-track” decision on who should control the Spokane Regional Solid Waste System. County commissioners Thursday accepted Spokane Mayor Mary Verner’s call for an agreement within … 3
-
County leaders balk at city’s timeline for waste plant
January 6, 2011 in City on Page A1 Establishing a garbage democracy in Spokane County may prove as difficult as bringing representative government to Afghanistan. The challenge came into sharp focus Tuesday when Spokane city officials asked county … 25
-
City, air agency could settle fine, upgrade incinerator
December 28, 2010 in City on Page A5 Spokane would have to pay a $5,000 fine and upgrade its regional trash incinerator under a proposed deal being considered by Mayor Mary Verner. The settlement, proposed by the Spokane … 7
