Voters in Montgomery County face $50 trash fee hike under either waste plan
Council members are set to decide Tuesday between keeping the aging Dickerson facility or shipping waste to out-of-county landfills.
By Lorenzo Patterson ·
Montgomery County residents will likely pay roughly $50 more for trash service no matter which waste management path their leaders choose Tuesday.
The county council is expected to vote on whether to maintain the Dickerson Resource Recovery Facility or close it and transport solid waste to landfills in neighboring jurisdictions.
The incinerator, which began operations in 1995, requires substantial funding for upkeep and technological upgrades. Previous county reviews estimated that keeping the site running with modern equipment could cost up to $356 million.
County Executive Marc Elrich has advocated for shutting down the facility. He pointed to environmental and equity issues related to ash disposal, specifically the need to find a new storage site that does not burden lower-income or minority communities. Elrich has pushed for expanded recycling and composting as alternatives to incineration.
In a letter to council members last week, Elrich suggested studying waste reduction technologies used in San Jose, California, if the council opts against an immediate closure. This recommendation follows review sessions held by the council in September and October.
The final decision rests with the council, which will weigh the financial burden of maintenance against the costs of hauling waste out of the county.
