Albany County committee approves amended environmental determination for Sludge Processing Improvement Project after DEC rejects consolidation plan

The Albany County Conservation, Sustainability and Green Initiatives Committee approved an amended Type I environmental determination with a negative declaration for the Sludge Processing Improvement Project after county staff said the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) disapproved the plan to consolidate sludge operations by piping material from the South plant to the North plant.

Executive Director Angelo Gaudio told the committee the initial consolidation concept—to pump liquid sludge from the South plant to the North plant for processing—was rejected by DEC because of concerns the North plant incinerators could not handle the additional volume. Gaudio said the county has a $25,000,000 conditional grant from the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) that requires closing financing through EFC by September, and that the county pivoted the project scope to continue incineration at both plants to preserve eligibility for the grant.

County staff described the project cost as remaining $65,000,000. Money that would have gone to a roughly four-mile force main, pumps and screens is being reallocated to improvements at the South plant, including dewatering and related equipment. Staff said consolidation would have allowed continuous 24/7 incinerator operation; under the current approach the county will continue existing incineration at both plants.

The committee heard technical discussion about biosolids disposal, PFAS and emissions controls. Staff said the county currently combusts all biosolids and does not land-apply sludge; ash from incineration is beneficially used at the Albany Landfill. Staff noted that incineration can reduce certain PFAS compounds when held at appropriate temperature and time, and that the project proposes adding an afterburner at the North plant to improve combustion and reduce odors.

Staff also said the county will add a pH adjustment system at the North plant to address requirements in an existing consent order, and that recent permit renewal will require quarterly PFAS testing for the first year to establish baseline levels. Committee members raised questions about potential future restrictions on land application and whether landfill leachate or industrial discharges are contributing PFAS to the treatment stream; staff noted source-control approaches and landfill treatment technologies exist but said regulatory authority and scale limits affect options.

After discussion, the committee approved the amended environmental determination by voice vote. No roll-call vote was recorded in the transcript.