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Solicitor outlines tight timeline for landfill solar redevelopment and RFP
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Summary
Buena Borough’s solicitor presented a redevelopment plan for an 18-acre landfill that would allow a community solar array, with the borough seeking proposals before a projected June adoption to meet a July funding deadline.
Solicitor Tennant told the Buena Borough Mayor and Council on April 27 that the borough is advancing a redevelopment plan to convert the municipal landfill into a community solar site and will advertise a request for proposals (RFP) before the plan’s formal adoption to meet a July funding deadline.
"We are in the process to put together a request for proposals," Tennant said, describing a yearlong effort that began with retaining a professional planner and declaring areas of the borough in need of redevelopment. He said the redevelopment plan will be presented to the Land Use Board on May 27, with a target first reading before council on June 8 and final adoption on June 22.
Tennant said the redevelopment approach allows developers to propose capped landfill remediation paired with a solar array that can produce electricity for the community and provide annual rent to the borough. He cited a nearby example in Woodbine that yielded $175,000 a year in revenue for that municipality while also securing landfill capping and community energy benefits.
The solicitor said the borough has already authorized initial steps and intends to advertise for proposals ‘‘prior to the completion of the redevelopment plan’’ so competitive developers can submit offers in time for available funding rounds. He said the landfill is roughly 18 acres and that proposals will spell out options for capping, SREC credits and community electric benefits.
Mayor Joseph Ruthie said council will see a resolution at an upcoming meeting to authorize advertisement of the RFP. No final contract or developer was selected at the meeting; Tennant emphasized the borough’s intent to compare proposals and secure the best terms before moving forward with formal adoption.
Next steps: redevelopment plan review at the Land Use Board on May 27, first reading at council June 8 and final adoption targeted for June 22; the borough will advertise an RFP immediately to meet an external funding deadline in July.
