Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Waste Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners back exploring biomass co-generation in long-range waste plan
Summary
After a site visit to HDR facilities, commissioners said a modular biomass co-generation approach looks promising for Lincoln County’s long-term waste and biomass management, but noted siting, permitting, funding and operator requirements remain unresolved.
A commissioner reported Feb. 4 that a recent visit to HDR’s biomass facilities convinced them that a biomass co-generation plant could fit into Lincoln County’s 40-year waste-management plan.
The commissioner said the two facilities observed were run differently and emphasized the need for a reliable operator to ensure a long-lived plant rather than a short-term project. "If we ever do have a setup, we want to make sure that we have the correct people running it to make sure that it's a long-lasting plant, not a short-term situation," the commissioner said.
Discussion touched on possible sites (Libby vs. Eureka), federal permitting constraints from the U.S. Forest Service and EPA, and the potential for a private partnership on county property. Staff and commissioners agreed financing should not fall solely to local taxpayers and noted grant or investor partnerships would be necessary. One commissioner said some facilities handle a portion of waste (as much as 30 percent) including tires, and cited negative-airflow designs that keep emissions localized during feeding and hoppers.
No formal decision was made; commissioners asked staff to keep exploring feasibility details and funding options and to report back.
