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FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR SOLID WASTE PROCESSING <br />Position: <br />Washington County supports legislation that will provide additional state funding or incentives to <br />counties that are providing or financially supporting waste processing, thus exceeding objectives for <br />landfill diversion. <br />Issue: <br />Washington County has historically developed and implemented an integrated waste management <br />system which recovers valuable materials and energy from waste rather than landfilling. Together with <br />our partner, Ramsey County, we have purchased the Ramsey/Washington Recycling and Energy Center, <br />a waste -to -energy processing facility in Newport, MN, thus renewing our commitment to these <br />longstanding efforts. These actions achieve all of the objectives of the Minnesota Waste Management <br />Hierarchy and the Metropolitan Solid Waste Policy Plan. <br />While all Minnesota Counties received funding from the State Waste Management Tax (SWMT) in the <br />form of SCORE Grants, there are few incentives to exceed state standards or provide innovative <br />planning, programming and regulatory services. The SCORE funds are allocated to Counties based on a <br />formula made up of a base amount and the balance of the appropriated funds based on population. <br />Counties, such as Washington County, that make significant financial investments in solid waste <br />management practices which promote the state hierarchy should be rewarded beyond the basic <br />formula for SCORE funding. <br />Several State and Regional studies, plans and other documents support the development of financial <br />incentives for improved solid waste management. <br />2014 Office of Legislative Auditor Report <br />2011-2030 Regional Solid Waste Master Plan <br />Dec. 2011, Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board <br />2015 Solid Waste Policy Report <br />In a letter to County Commissioner Gary Kriesel from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) <br />Assistant Commissioner Kirk Koudelka, dated September 21, 2015, he states, "The MPCA acknowledges <br />the need to address each of the counties contributions to reaching the goals. The MPCA will examine <br />possible incentives for Counties that are exceeding objectives for landfill diversion. The MPCA also <br />intends to continue to measure the region as a whole, while holding individual counties accountable for <br />their decisions." <br />Support and Opposition: <br />Ramsey County would likely support this initiative as their actions are the same or similar to <br />those of Washington County. <br />Hennepin County would likely support this initiative as their facility results in landfill diversion. <br />MPCA has indicated its willingness to research, develop and support incentives for improved <br />solid waste management practices. <br />The Office of Legislative Auditor (OLA) report also included recommendations for incentives to <br />the Legislature. <br />M <br />