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Solid waste director warns MPCA proposal to tighten construction/demolition landfill rules could force costly closures
Summary
Hubbard County solid waste staff outlined proposed Minnesota Pollution Control Agency rules that would close or require upgrades to unlined construction and demolition landfills within 2, 5, or 8 years, and warned the changes could impose large, unfunded capital costs or force regional hauling arrangements.
Solid waste staff updated commissioners on proposed Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) rules that would change how unlined construction and demolition (C&D) landfills may operate and close, saying the draft timelines and technical requirements could impose substantial costs on counties.
The MPCA draft would require unlined C&D facilities to close or upgrade within 2, 5 or 8 years after the rule’s effective date, with different closure standards: facilities that close within two years could use existing closure practices; facilities closing in the 2–5 year window would need an enhanced soil cover (e.g., several feet of compacted soil); and facilities closing later could require synthetic covers. The draft also proposes operational changes such as more frequent cover placement (weekly or daily vs. monthly), longer property‑line setbacks (proposed increase from 50 to 200 feet), gas monitoring requirements and financial assurance mechanisms.
Solid waste staff said the county’s North and South transfer stations include unlined demolition landfills that likely would be affected and noted that converting to lined landfills or shipping C&D materials to distant lined facilities would increase costs because of transportation and disposal rates. Staff estimated building a lined facility locally would likely cost in the low millions and expressed concern the MPCA timeline and permitting process could be infeasible without state funding. Staff will submit comments on the MPCA rule draft by the September 12 comment deadline and urged commissioners to consider regional solutions and to contribute comments on the economic and operational impacts.
Commissioners asked about how long lined facilities last, whether hubs would fill quickly, and the prospect of product‑stewardship programs for items such as solar panels; staff said MPCA is exploring stewardship options but has not settled on answers. A motion approving a separate trailer purchase from Stenberg’s Trailers for $11,355.47 was also approved during the solid waste presentation.
