Opponents seek vote on waste disposal plant

EUGENE: Supporters have described it as “potentially the most technologically advanced waste processing facility in the country.” Opponents, though, say the $150,000,000 waste sorting facility is “a massive project that will increase costs of living for all Lane County residents.”

At issue is the CleanLane Resource Recovery Facility (previously known as IMERF) the county plans to build in Goshen. An August 20th Lane County Board of Commissioners’ vote to approve it was a replay of December when Commissioners Heather Buch, Pat Farr, and Laurie Trieger also voted in favor of the project while David Loveall and Ryan Ceniga were opposed.

A local manufacturer, Bulk Handling Systems (BHS) would build the new facility that would divert an estimated 80,000 tons of residential garbage, commingled recycling, and organic waste from the existing Short Mountain landfill to produce marketable recycling commodities and biogas.

Dana Siebert, managing director of Onward Eugene, said the non-profit’s goals of “building a thriving economy to promote inclusive prosperity for all” fell in line with supporting the CleanLane Resource Recovery Facility. If built, he felt, the project could help recruit potential “local success stories” like BHS that would create high-paying jobs.

Other backers of the project say the IMERF would significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the landfill while diverting recyclable materials from waste that would otherwise end up in landfills. Other expected benefits, they say, include leveraging public-private partnerships while operating at an affordable cost.

During public comments last week Chris Kjar, managing director of Sanipac, told the board “There are no bad guys here. We all want to plan for our children’s futures and protect our environment.” Kjar cautioned commissioners that “If this facility fails, it’s a disaster not only for the county but more importantly, it would destroy the foundation for public trust in recycling programs.”

Another opponent was Jake Pelroy, president of the Lane County Garbage and Recycling Association (LCGRA). He criticized Buch, Farr, and Trieger for blocking a motion by Loveall that called for a public vote on the CleanLane Project. “If this project moves forward, it will be the largest project in Lane County Government History, which will result in higher garbage prices for Lane County residents, businesses, schools, and non-profits,” Pelroy believes.

“We believe the public deserves to vote on this project,” Pelroy said in a statement. “This is a massive project that will increase costs of living for all Lane County residents, and still many questions haven’t been answered about CleanLane.”

Garbage haulers and recyclers, he said, are calling for the county to clear the way for referendums that would allow petitioners to collect signatures. If they do, opponents would need to receive an estimated 7,347 valid signatures within 90 days.