Juneau staff recommend transfer station; Assembly approves planning steps and up to $100,000 for operational study

Juneau staff and consultant Jacobs presented a high-level feasibility and capital-cost study on June 2 exploring three broad solid-waste disposal scenarios: a new local landfill, off-site shipment via a transfer station, and a waste-to-energy facility. The Assembly directed staff to include a transfer station with room for growth at the proposed Lemon Creek “0-waste campus” and approved up to $100,000 from a CIP account to fund additional operational cost analysis.

Tara (Jacobs) summarized key findings: a transfer facility is a common component of all scenarios and would act as an interim solution while the borough evaluates long-term disposal options and helps handle surges in volume (tourism or disaster debris). Jacobs estimated a smaller transfer facility (9,000–13,000 sq ft) would have capital costs of roughly $9…