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Ames to close waste-to-energy plant, build $16.8 million Resource Recovery and Recycling Campus; tipping fees to rise
Summary
City staff said Ames will stop operating its waste-to-energy facility and build a Resource Recovery and Recycling Campus (R3C) to handle 52,000 tons/year. Construction is estimated at $16.8 million, the tipping fee is projected to rise from $75 to about $95/ton in 2027, and staff asked 20/80 partners to indicate support for a 20-year extension of agreements by January.
Brian Phillips, assistant city manager, told partner communities that the city will stop operating its waste-to-energy power plant because the system is no longer economically viable, has reliability problems and faces future regulatory limits on operating hours. "We're no longer going to be operating a waste to energy facility," Phillips said, adding boiler corrosion from modern plastics and the economics of buying grid power made continuing the plant impractical.
The city plans to construct a Resource Recovery and Recycling Campus (R3C) near Friel Drive to accept municipal solid waste from local haulers, perform limited processing and consolidate loads for transport to Carroll County Landfill. Justin Clausen, public works director, said the city purchased the property in early 2025 and is about 60% through design. "The current estimate is…
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