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Agency updates: RRA seeks county support for reuse center; committee advances ARPA solar block and discusses zero-waste pilots
Summary
Director Ryder briefed the committee on the Resource Recovery Agency's request for county assistance to help secure property and equipment for a proposed reuse/innovation center (the 'RICK'), progress on solar mapping and climate-smart projects, and zero-waste pilot plans. The committee passed a block of ARPA intermunicipal solar grants 25–32.
Ulster County's Resource Recovery Agency (RRA) and county staff provided several operational updates and requests during the Feb. 4 Energy, Environment and Sustainability Committee meeting.
Director Ryder said the agency has identified property options for a reuse/innovation center (referred to as the 'RICK') and that the RRA board authorized moving forward on a letter of intent for a purchase. The agency indicated the property is composed of two inseparable parcels and described an ask for county partnership funds in the $1 million to $1.5 million range to help secure property and equipment; Ryder said the agency will pursue options for either a full property purchase or an initial $2 million office parcel if a buyer for the larger parcel cannot be found. The committee discussed whether a late-resolution request or other budget mechanism would be used to convey county support.
On renewable energy, Ryder reported continued solar-mapping work with towns and Central Hudson and described a possible corridor project that could reach 20–30 megawatts if interconnection and siting obstacles are resolved. Committee members said they will continue outreach and training for town officials on siting and permit issues.
Members reviewed a $25,000 zero-waste RFP (education/outreach team) intended to scale successful diversion work shown at local festivals (e.g., the Garlic Festival) to larger events such as the Ulster County Fair. Deputy Executive Laval said the county is exploring options such as summer youth employment to staff diversion teams and that grant funding or partnerships may be needed to replicate transfer-station pilots in other towns.
The meeting also approved a block of ARPA-funded intermunicipal agreements (Resolutions 25–32) covering multiple grants, including solar projects; the block passed with a recorded opposition and at least one abstention. Committee members also discussed a Town of Hurley transfer-station report showing a notable net revenue figure and considered whether the model could be scaled to other towns with county support or through grants.
The committee scheduled follow-ups on funding mechanics for the RICK request, potential shared grant applications for scaling Hurley's model, and a future briefing on landfill leachate and closed-landfill wastewater-management concerns raised by a citizen group.
The RRA noted it is separately pursuing an RFP for alternative technologies (biogasification, anaerobic digestion, hydrolysis) and continues to emphasize diversion as the long-term strategy to reduce landfill reliance.
