Article: The Grand Bargain on Sonoma County Waste.
by Ernie Carpenter
WaccoBB.net
Six years ago the Board of Supervisors decided to sell the Sonoma County Central Landfill (CLF) and the transfer stations to Republic Services, a large multi-national waste corporation. This sell off was called “Divestiture”. The reasons were numerous but the landfill was full and about 400 tons per day were being trucked out of the County to other landfills. Costs were escalating, there was an eleven million dollar shortfall in the funds required by law to “Close” the landfill, Petaluma had left the system, cities and County were squabbling about liability issues and the County seemed unable to design and implement a plan. The Board thought only a large, well-capitalized international waste company could reopen the landfill and resolve costly permitting issues.
Yet, local waste experts, environmentalists, and some public policy makers thought selling the landfill was a bad idea. A big policy and legal fight was brewing between cities and the County. When you lose control of your waste stream, you lose control of both policy and cost. Important policies to Sonoma County included Green House Gas reduction, increased recycling and reuse rates, containing costs, and energy generation.
When Supervisors Carrillo and Zane took office in 2009 they did not support the already negotiated contract with Republic Services and the selloff. The Supervisors’ chambers were packed with various interest groups in early 2009. The Republic contract was turned down. However, a Board majority also decided at that time to allow Republic Services to pursue permitting and re-opening CLF. This time around the County would retain ownership of the landfill and transfer stations as a form of control. Also, the County would seek city and citizen buy in. A Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) was formed to re-shape the issue. The SWAC consisted of two Supervisors, Zane and Carrillo, and an elected representative of each city in Sonoma County.
Unusual perhaps, both environmental and business communities were united in opposition to Divestiture. Different was that after Divestiture failed, the opposition decided to take ownership of the problem and work with local government to develop a solution or, to at least to give it a shot. As one person said, “This may be the biggest deal the County has ever puts together.” Hence, the No Name Garbage Group (NNGG) was formed as a parallel shadow group to the SWAC. The intentions were to provide a forum for dialogue between dispirit interests, promote good environmental and public policy, and monitor the process. It is the first time I remember that the opposition in Sonoma County because a significant part of the solution.
The NNGG membership was anyone with an interest. NNGG met monthly under the aegis of Ann Hancock’s Climate Protection Campaign. Marlene Soiland, Chairperson of the business oriented Sonoma County Alliance, joined the group shortly thereafter. These two women were co-chairs in presenting a unified voice. The NNGG and SWAC participated in the process for about five years. One understanding was that no person or entity could control the debate because with all the special interest at the table, we were all watching each other. A Research Committee was established by the SWAC to analyze trends and evaluate options to reach desired goals. This was followed by a ‘gap analysis’ to assist in determining the best way to implement policy goals and at the best cost. The Research Committee, a marriage between the SWAC and the NNGG members, analyzed SWAC policy and made written recommendations on how to achieve that policy.
The Board of Supervisors recently held a workshop to discuss the culmination of this long process. In essence, the County of Sonoma will contract with Republic Services to run CLF for disposal services for twenty years at a cost of $547 million dollars. In return, Republic which obtained permits from Cal Recycle and the Regional Water Quality Control Board (WQCB), and will reopen the CLF. The cost of the immediate expansion is around $60 million dollars. Republic assumes the current and future liability of closure costs and the landfill operations.
Collection contracts in the cities were bid over time and won by the Ratto group. So, one company will collect the material and another, Republic, run the disposal. The Collector will operate the MRF. In theory, if the landfill operator is sorting the material, more can get buried as there is less cost incentive to recycle. There are two other facilities that currently take Construction and Demolition (C&D) material. Add the worm farm that is being permitted to take food waste and a dynamic balance between players is created. In effect, all anchored by a twenty year contract with Republic.
The contract with Republic is coming back to the Board of Supervisors. It then has to be ratified by all the cities. It was a very positive exercise in that cities, environmental groups, industry and citizens all had a hand in the Grand Bargain. A contract I feel confident cities will embrace. Local government avoids both capital expenditure and future liability. And, there was citizen input and very little opposition at the end. Who loses you ask? The union, SEIU, for one loses union jobs and the neighbors in Happy Acres wanted the landfill anywhere else in Sonoma County. I do not fault anyone from trying to prevent a landfill in their backyard. I do believe from a public policy viewpoint the rest of us win. We developed a private-public partnership that controls our own waste on our terms into the future using private capital to develop the CLF. Yet, it is as good as the financial strength of Republic and the contract upon which it rests. Once again, Sonoma County has its own landfill. Now, recycle, reuse and reduce. It’s our responsibility.
Ernie Carpenter has lived in Sonoma County since 1969. He has an MSW (LCSW) from UC Berkeley. He has served on the Sonoma County Planning Commission, the Board of Supervisors (16-years) and the Civil Service Commission. He has been involved in environmental, social justice, social work, planning, waste and recycling issue. He lives in the Graton area and has grown children, Currently employed as a waste consultant.
Re: Article: The Grand Bargain on Sonoma County Waste.
Thank you Ernie.
I was wondering why you didn't mention the NCRA train deal.
From what was promoted by the NCRA, the hauling of Sonoma County's refuse was one of the most important reasons for getting taxpayer funding for the train.
I forgot the name of the other railroad corporation that contaminated nearby lands, and was ordered to pay millions to clean up their mess, I guess that got swept under the rug.
The question that I have is, now that Sonoma County does not need to train their refuse to Vacaville and Fallon, NV, what are the NCRA trains going to haul now ? And what exactly is happening with the NCRA. Are the trains actually hauling any payload yet ? If so, how much money and tonnage are involved ? What are the products being hauled and from where to where ?
This silence is suspicious, I think the NCRA should let the public know how losing the contract to haul Sonoma County's refuse will affect the revenue stream and existence of the freight train lines.
Quote:
Posted in reply to the post by Ernieman:
by Ernie Carpenter
WaccoBB.net
Six years ago the Board of Supervisors decided to sell the Sonoma County Central Landfill (CLF) and the transfer stations to Republic Services, a large multi-national waste corporation. This sell off was called “Divestiture”. The reasons were numerous but the landfill was full and about 400 tons per day were being trucked out of the County to other landfills. Costs were escalating, there was an eleven million dollar shortfall in the funds required by law to “Close” the landfill, Petaluma had left the system, cities and County were squabbling about liability issues and the County seemed unable to design and implement a plan. The Board thought only a large, well-capitalized international waste company could reopen the landfill and resolve costly permitting issues.
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Re: Article: The Grand Bargain on Sonoma County Waste.
Here's a PD article that discusses this deal to re-open the county landfill that is set to be approved today:
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/articl...p=all&tc=pgall
