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Rutherford County panel backs resolution opposing changes to 'Jackson law' as resident warns of Middle Point Landfill expansion
Summary
A resident told the Public Works and Planning Committee that a TDEC permit filing could extend Middle Point Landfill operations to 2046; commissioners voted to send a resolution to the full County Commission opposing proposed state changes to the Jackson law that they say would reduce local control over landfill siting.
A resident urged Rutherford County leaders on Dec. 2 to oppose a pending landfill expansion and county commissioners moved to send a resolution opposing state changes to the so-called Jackson law to the full County Commission.
Laura Clark, speaking during public comment, said BFI/Republic filed a major permit modification application with the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation on Oct. 30 that would remove the cap over an area containing aluminum waste and project that Middle Point Landfill could accept trash as late as 2046 instead of closing in the late 2020s. Clark cited TDEC records she said show a safety history since 2018 including "12 notices of violations," called a past mailing from the firm "misleading," and asked elected officials to intervene.
The committee’s steering discussion focused on a separate but related policy issue: plans reportedly under consideration at the state level to amend the Jackson law, which gives certain counties local control over landfill siting. Commissioners said proposed changes could strip local authority and make it harder for counties with existing landfills to retain oversight.
"If they take this Jackson law away from the 43 counties that have it in Tennessee," one commissioner said, "that will allow landfills to be put everywhere." Another steering amendment added the Central Tennessee Solid Waste Regional Planning Board to the resolution as a potential ally, but county legal review was requested to determine whether adding that regional board would strengthen or weaken the county’s position.
Chairman Phillips and Commissioner Piercy urged sending the resolution to the County Commission with the possible amendment subject to the county attorney’s recommendation. The committee voted to send the resolution forward to the full County Commission for consideration at its next meeting.
The committee did not act on the TDEC permit itself during the meeting, and no company representative responded at the meeting to the concerns Laura Clark raised. County officials said the county attorney would review the proposed amendment language before the full commission vote.
Next steps: The resolution will go to the full Rutherford County Commission at its next meeting; the county attorney will report back on whether including the regional board is advisable.
