Politics & Government

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Vote to Extend Service Agreement on Waste Plant

8-2 with Hyland and Hudgins dissenting

Almost six years of negotiation and approximately two months of spirited public debate on the waste-to-energy plant in Lorton came to an uneventful close yesterday when the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted 8-2 to extend the current service agreement with Covanta. Under the terms of the agreement, New Jersey-based Covanta will continue to own and operate the plant and lease the land on which it operates from Fairfax County.

Mount Vernon Supervisor Gerry Hyland and Hunter Mill Supervisor Catherine Hudgins were the two votes against the motion to extend the lease.

In January, County Executive Anthony Griffin recommended that the county purchase the plant for approximately $418 million. Subsequent to Griffin’s recommendation, the county held three public hearings where the available options were presented to citizens.

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As the discussion became more public, and with various officials taking sides, it became apparent that the proponents of purchasing the plant were losing steam. It eventually led to the rare occurrence of the board going against the recommendations of the county executive.

Some pointed to the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce’s staunch opposition to the county’s plan as the deciding factor in changing supervisors’ sentiments, particularly in an election year.

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“I’ve never seen an issue lobbied as hard as this one by any group,” Hyland said in reference to the Chamber. “They really turned the heat up.”

But Hyland ultimately did not feel that Covanta would be able to guarantee control of where trash would come from, or that the community benefit was strong enough or, finally, that Covanta could limit truck traffic to and from the plant.

Chamber President Jim Corcoran did not respond to Hyland’s claims of political influence, but instead thanked the supervisors who voted in favor the lease. “(The lease) was the best financial and performance option for the citizens of Fairfax County.”

Corcoran felt that the county’s own numbers actually showed the benefits of a lease relative to a purchase. “Their own projections showed that and had their projections been wrong it would have been even worse (for Fairfax County citizens). Ultimately we’d prefer risk stay in the private sector, so we’re happy with the vote.”

While the negotiations were taking place, Covanta opted for a limited public presence, which at times saw the company painted in a less-than-flattering light. Those days are now forgotten. Shortly after the vote, Covanta Senior Vice President Paul Stauder said, ”We look forward to continuing our relationship with Fairfax County through 2041 and continuing our dual role of supplying safe and efficient waste disposal while providing clean, renewable electricity to the communities we serve.”

Before the agreement is official the Board still must approve the terms of service.


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