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 million–$20 million; a larger facility designed to hold 7–14 days of material while awaiting barge service was estimated at $14 million–$40 million.

Jacobs also provided order-of-magnitude costs for other disposal options: a 50-year landfill was estimated at $50 million–$162 million (with a 100-year option roughly double that), and a small waste-to-energy plant sized to process roughly 30,000 tons per year was estimated around $90 million. Jacobs cautioned that waste-to-energy plants typically require much larger waste streams to be cost-effective and that Juneau’s nearly 100 tons per day is small compared with typical U.S. projects.

Why it matters: the privately owned Waste Management landfill serving Juneau has limited remaining lifespan. Staff said the borough has little direct control now over hours, rates or materials accepted at the private landfill; establishing a transfer station or other municipal capacity would provide CBJ more control over diversion, materials handling and contingency management.

Assembly direction and funding

Assemblymember Kelly moved for and the Assembly approved a direction to Engineering and Public Works to include a transfer station with possible growth in the 0-waste campus planning footprint in Lower Lemon Creek.

Mayor Weldon then moved and the Assembly approved directing staff to use up to $100,000 from a CIP line (0-way CIP D12-103) for a high-level solid-waste facility operational cost study to refine operational costs, shipping rates and funding models. Several members said the follow-up study should include resident cost impacts and environmental footprint estimates.

Consultant recommendations and next steps

Jacobs recommended the borough: (1) consider building a transfer facility at the Lemon Creek site as an early, flexible step in any scenario; (2) engage shipping partners and prospective off-site landfills to get operational cost estimates; and (3) pursue deeper cost and lifecycle studies for 1–2 preferred scenarios once the Assembly selects a level of municipal control. Jacobs underscored that capital estimates are preliminary and that the borough should pursue vendor and partner discussions, permitting and public engagement in the next phase.

Ending

Staff will return with an operational-cost analysis funded by the approved CIP allocation, more detailed permitting and siting work for the Lemon Creek site and follow-up public engagement. No final procurement, ownership model or construction funding was approved at this meeting.