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Kent County DPW reports WTE repairs, food‑waste rollout and regulatory review of stricter MACT rules
Summary
Kent County Department of Public Works reported transfer increases tied to plant refurbishment, boilers restored and a turbine pending installation; the county launched a food‑waste collection pilot with 145 users and is seeking reconsideration of new MACT emission rules while Director Darwin Baas said he is not recommending the county pursue litigation individually.
Kent County Department of Public Works staff updated the Board of Public Works on May 7 about recent Waste‑to‑Energy operations, a new food‑waste collection pilot, and regulatory developments related to stricter MACT (Maximum Achievable Control Technology) standards.
Staff said transfers out of the WTE facility rose in January and February to create room for plant refurbishment, including a new scrubber on Unit 2; both boilers are back online and a turbine currently in Missouri is scheduled to be installed by May 31. Staff recommended monitoring inbound and transfer levels for a few months before proposing budget changes tied to transfer costs.
Communications Manager Matt McPherson presented the food‑waste collection rollout, launched April 22. McPherson reported 145 users signed up as of the meeting, an app is in use to manage participation and admins can flag contamination; Organicycle will assist in contamination review and composting operations, and the county is moving to expand drop‑off locations after local zoning approvals, including a planned site at Comstock Park Library.
On regulatory matters, staff said Kent County meets the new MACT requirements but projects a modest cost increase (staff estimated about $50,000 per year). The technical committee plans to send a letter asking for reconsideration of emission‑averaging rules and exemptions for startup/shutdown periods and cited Clean Air Act Section 11 as the statutory authority under discussion. Staff described two procedural paths: administrative reconsideration and a possible petition for judicial review. Director Darwin Baas said he is not recommending Kent County pursue filing suit individually but noted the county has standing to join litigation if it chooses.
Additional updates included a proposed purple‑pipe connection (reuse of post‑treatment water) with an estimated connection cost of $600,000–$800,000 and a projected 2–3 year return on investment; Door Township unanimously approved a PUD for a Sustainable Business Park pending an EGLE wetlands permit. Staff said $1 million was set aside in cash reserves for WTE repairs and that the county will present further financial detail at the June 4 meeting. The board also discussed meeting logistics and an upcoming full board review of a PFAS bond.
