Onalaska representative flags long-term landfill planning as La Crosse county waste contract nears 2030

Jared Holder, speaking as the Onalaska representative to the La Crosse County solid waste policy board, told the Onalaska Board of Public Works and Utilities that the county’s ten-year solid-waste management plan raises strategic questions about the Xcel Energy waste-to-energy facility and the landfill’s remaining capacity.

Holder said the contract with Xcel Energy runs through 2030; if the county does not continue the waste-to-energy arrangement after that date, landfill airspace could be exhausted sooner. Staff projected that without renewal the landfill’s capacity could be used up by about 2044; with continued waste-to-energy processing the landfill’s life could extend into the 2055–2060 range. Holder emphasized that siting a new landfill is a long process requiring years of planning and permitting.

The board discussed who pays for new landfill capacity and noted that planning should start well in advance (15 years was cited as a prudent planning window). Holder said the solid-waste policy board will continue study; he offered to bring more detailed materials back to the Onalaska board once county-level analysis is further developed. No motion or formal action was requested or taken by the Onalaska board on this informational item.

Holder described the plan as a high-level guide; he invited members to indicate if they wanted the item returned for further consideration once the county board advances its work.