Residents urge council to block incinerator contract extension as public hearing opens on 10-year solid-waste plan

Montgomery County Council opened a public hearing Feb. 11 on the Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan 2025–2034 as dozens of residents and local advocates urged faster action to close the county’s waste-to-energy (WTE) incinerator and demanded full cost and emissions information before any contract extension is approved.

Speakers told the council that the county’s Resource Recovery Facility (RRF) in Dickerson generates electricity and revenue but argued its environmental and health costs merit ending incineration while alternatives are pursued. "Montgomery County has long been a leader in responsible waste management and our resource recovery facility stands a testament to that commitment," said Rebecca Smondrowski, a registered speaker, noting county figures that the RRF provides enough electricity to power about 26,000 homes and that the facility generated $12,234,000 in renewable energy credits in fiscal 2024 (2025 revenue was described as an estimated $10,000,000).

The hearing drew sustained testimony urging the council to introduce a resolution denying a planned incinerator contract extension and to hold a separate public hearing on that…