Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Regional Planning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Regional waste planning RFP, $500,000 grant presented to Skagway committee
Summary
Southeast Conference told Skagway’s Solid Waste Advisory Committee it is leading a region‑wide municipal solid‑waste planning effort backed by a $500,000 planning grant and an RFP closing this Friday, and invited Skagway to participate to reduce outbound shipping of waste.
Southeast Conference representatives told the Skagway Municipality Solid Waste Advisory Committee on Jan. 29 that the regional body is soliciting proposals this week for a planning effort covering municipal solid waste management and waste‑to‑energy options.
"We are about to undertake a region‑wide planning effort for municipal solid waste management, and waste energy efforts," said Caitlin Jared, transportation and special projects manager for Southeast Conference, noting an RFP closes Friday and that the program is supported by a $500,000 planning grant. Jared said the study will map waste flows across participating communities and explore alternatives to shipping most local waste out of the region.
The committee discussed how Skagway’s incinerator status and local recycling and composting activities fit into the regional picture. Committee members said Skagway currently ships a significant amount of garbage because the town’s incinerator requires upgrades; they urged that Skagway be included so the community can evaluate whether more processing could remain in‑region rather than being transported to the Lower 48.
Why it matters: smaller coastal and island communities in Southeast Alaska often pay high shipping costs to send waste out of the region; a coordinated plan could identify opportunities for shared facilities, local processing or waste‑to‑energy projects that reduce transport and costs while improving local waste management options.
The committee requested follow‑up materials and pledged to stay engaged, and staff said they would forward local data about recent waste‑stream studies to the regional contractor when available. The Southeast Conference presentation is part of a broader regional push to consolidate planning and reduce long‑distance disposal costs.
