County sustainability team outlines energy plan, transfer station timeline and waste-collection totals

Sustainability staff told the committee they collected about 24,500 pounds of electronics in a recent push and reported roughly 172,129 pounds of household hazardous waste across three GFL collections. They highlighted ongoing holiday-light recycling locations and said they will publish tree-disposal details once coordinated with the Department of Natural Resources.

Staff summarized work on an updated operational sustainability plan funded by a 2024 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant that paid for a facilities master plan and mechanical/electrical/plumbing/structural studies to inform county energy goals. The update will expand existing plan components — buildings and construction, operations, land use, workforce education, purchasing/resource management and resource management — and add an energy-resilience component to assess vulnerabilities and increased on-site renewable generation.

On waste infrastructure, staff reported transfer-station footings and pit work and said the transfer station is scheduled to open in late spring 2026 with Landfill 3 construction expected to start 2032–2033 and opening in 2035. Staff said landfill tipping fees will resume with the transfer station opening and noted a contractual minimum for tipping fees of $300,000 for 2026 prorated with the late opening.

Staff asked for feedback and said the sustainability team will return in January with further recommendations.