SPSA tells supervisors region must pursue expensive alternatives after Wheelabrator disruption; proposals could top $250M

Tressa Preston, representing the Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA), told the Southampton County Board of Supervisors on May 28 that regional solid-waste arrangements have been disrupted by capacity losses at Wheelabrator and the Navy's contract changes, prompting an evaluation of alternative disposal solutions.

Preston said Wheelabrator's operational capacity has been reduced after a 2022 fire and earlier Navy decisions, forcing SPSA member communities to haul more waste by private haulers and accelerating the need to consider landfill expansion or alternative technologies. SPSA issued a request for information and a request for proposals earlier this year; proposals were returned May 1 and are now under committee review.

Preston said the options under review are likely to be large, potentially in the neighborhood of $250 million, and would typically be structured with long contract terms (about 20 years) so vendors can amortize capital investments and offer lower tip fees. SPSA is evaluating technologies and vendor commitments and will conduct vendor site visits, with an expectation of bringing recommendations to member boards in 2024–2025 and potential contract awards in May 2025.

SPSA also described recycling challenges in the region, a reduced return on recycled materials and rising costs for municipal recycling programs; some proposals include single-stream processing and expanded materials recovery. Preston told the board site SH30 (the previously discussed 460/flyover candidate) is no longer a viable landfill option and that regional collaboration remains central to any solution.

Board members asked for cost specifics and timelines; Preston said more detailed numbers would be available after vendor evaluations and site visits, with an expected round of board-level briefing in September and possible contract consideration in spring 2025.