Lorton, Va. –– The Fairfax County incinerator is that large boxy-looking tower on the skyline overlooking Interstate 95. Now officials must decide if they want to buy it.
For the past 30 years, the county has leased the facility to a company called Covanta, which during that time has used the incinerator to convert waste into energy, powering up to 75,000 homes.
It has been in operation since 1990, but now that lease is running out.
Some officials want to purchase the plant so the county can control what types of trash can be hauled into the incinerator.
“The only reason that we would want to purchase the plant is to have more control over, for instance, where trash comes from,” Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Sharon Bulova told WTOP.
But the trash incinerator brings with it a high price tag – $418 million. That’s half of what the county expected to pay and less than half than what Covanta valued the plant, WTOP reports.
Supervisor Pat Herrity is balking at the price tag, saying it’s too expensive and that the county should not purchase the plant.
The county would use Economic Development Authority bonds to fund the purchase, if officials decide to buy the facility.
Prince William County and Washington also bring their trash to the facility.
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