Spokane, Washington, approves 2 multimillion-dollar contracts for WTE facility

Officials in Spokane, Washington, have approved two multimillion-dollar contracts for ongoing mechanical repairs at the city’s waste-to-energy (WTE) facility and the disposal of excess or nonprocessable solid waste material from the facility.

As reported by The Center Square, Council members approved a five-year contract that will pay $4.5 million per year to WM of Washington for the transportation and disposal of bypass waste. The service contract takes effect mid-November and can be renewed after five years.

The current contract has an initial transportation pricing of $58.95 per ton for the first year.

WM was the preferred of three bidders, according to city documents obtained by The Center Square. Responses also were received from Waste Connections of Vancouver and Regional Disposal Co. of Redmond, Washington.

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Bypass waste is described by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as municipal solid waste (MSW) suitable for combustion but not burned because of seasonal peaks, reduced operations arising from maintenance or other excess capacity issues at the facility. The contract specifically excludes recyclable materials and other materials deemed unacceptable, such as hazardous waste.

Bypass and nonprocessable wastes will be taken to various transfer or disposal sites around the region. The contract says WM is responsible for accidents during transport or nuisances such as spills, leaks or odors.

Located near the Spokane International Airport, the city’s WTE facility burns MSW for energy recovery. It can incinerate up to 800 tons of waste a day, generating 22 megawatts of electricity that is sold to Avista Utilities, reports The Center Square. The process reduces solid waste volume by 90 percent and the resulting ash is considered biologically inert.

Council also approved a one-year, $2.2 million contract with Knight Construction and Supply Inc., Deer Park, Washington, for mechanical repairs at the WTE facility.