Albany residents and Republic Services clash over proposed Coffin Butte landfill expansion

Republic Services representatives told the Albany City Council on Sept. 24 that a proposed expansion at Coffin Butte would be 50% smaller than their original request, would not close Coffin Butte Road, and would provide about seven more years of regional disposal capacity while communities develop a solid-waste plan. "We reduced the size of the expansion area by 50%," the company said during a 40-minute presentation to the council.

The company’s municipal manager, Julie Jackson, and environmental manager, Paul Coster, described engineering controls at the site: three times the typical number of gas collection wells, a dual liner and leak-detection system, an enclosed flare installed to replace visible open flames, and 35 groundwater-monitoring wells. Coster said the operation has invested millions in wells and gas collection and that "we have a really good relationship with PNGC who powers the plant" that uses landfill gas to generate electricity.

Residents and local experts who testified during the meeting pressed the council on health and environmental risks. Joanna Nusio Stockslager, a North Albany resident, urged the council to "protect public health and reject this expansion," citing concerns about leachate and "forever chemicals" such as PFAS. Retired physician Laura Ouellette said the site sits on fractured basalt and experiences heavy rainfall, and she cited EPA and independent surveys alleging methane exceedances and repeated fire responses by the local fire district. "Coffin Butte is a super emitter of methane," Ouellette said, summarizing monitoring cited in her remarks.

Republic Services responded to several technical questions during a council Q&A. Company staff said they produced about 38,000,000 gallons of leachate last year and described existing leachate collection and off-site disposal practices; they noted there are currently no federal PFAS sampling limits and that Oregon DEQ is reviewing changes to stormwater permits that may add PFAS monitoring. On groundwater concerns, company presenters said the landfill uses a dual liner and a leak detection system and that monitoring wells meet drinking-water standards, adding they have found no evidence of groundwater contamination at the site.

Several commenters and a county advisory participant urged the council not to take a position before Benton County completes its review. Mark Yaeger, who described service on county advisory committees and as a registered environmental engineer, said the Benton County Planning Commission had previously reviewed the proposal and unanimously denied it, and he asked councilors "please do not take any position on the proposed expansion until you hear the complete picture."

No formal action or council vote on the Coffin Butte expansion was taken at the meeting; the session recorded presentations and public testimony and left substantive land-use decisions to Benton County, which Republic Services said is expected to vote on the expansion later in the fall. Councilors and staff asked for continued information on monitoring, leachate disposal costs and regional planning as background for any future local position.

The case will proceed through Benton County planning and permitting processes; Albany’s council received the presentation and public comments as part of local engagement but did not adopt a position or motion on the expansion at this meeting.