Frederick County Talks About a Long Term Solid Waste Plan

FREDERICK, MD - A public hearing was held to address three permits necessary to build waste into an energy facility. Supporter and opponents came out to speak on the controversial project.

The President of the County's Board of Commissioners says it's now time to move forward with building the facility at the County's McKinney Industrial Park.

"The most important thing to me is the fact that's its going to put in place a long term solid waste plan for our need in Frederick County for decades to come," says Blaine Young, president of the County Board of Commissioners.

Young and other supporters say the facility would bring hundreds of jobs to the area, and would move the county forward in the right direction.

"The Contractors Association supports this type of technology because it is what works, and it's better than what were doing in landfills now," says Greg Brown, president of the Waynesboro Construction Company.

The Maryland Department of  Environment says for the county to obtain the permits, they must meet the clean water act, air quality and technology based standards.

"We started 7 years ago battling the incinerator. At the outset when I heard the term waste to energy it sounded like a really good system," says Patrice Gallagher, of the No Incinerator Alliance.

Gallagher and others who oppose the facility say they have many reasons to stand strong against the facility.

"It's not best option from an environmental health or financial stand point," says Gallagher.

"It's not the correct way forward for our community, or world in general, to keep continually putting pollutants in the atmosphere," says Daniel Andrews, of the Maryland Sierra Club.

Officials says the facility would cost 380 million dollars, and that the Maryland Waste Disposal Authority will finance the project through tax exempt bonds that will be sold into the open market.

Members of the Frederick County Delegate voted this month to reaffirm their support for the project. They say it also helps Governor Martin O'Malley reach the state's goal of producing 20% of electricity from in-state renewable sources by 2022.

If you'd like to submit comments, you have until March 20^th.