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Taylor calls for city-county
partnership on trash issue
partnership on trash issue
City Council looks at possible solution
to diversion, revenue woes
to diversion, revenue woes
By REBECCA NEIPP, News Review Staff Writer
| Snow geese put on a show for the students of Las Flores Elementary School. Our winter visitors, now in full honk, may not stay much longer as the temperatures begin to creep upward. Photo by Laura Austin |
Ridgecrest City Council that a partnership with Kern County could expedite
the city’s quest for a solution on the controversial mandatory trash and
recycling issue.
The city has been struggling for months to find a program that satisfies Cal-
Recycles — the oversight agency of the state, which maintains that the city
does not meet the required rate of diverting recyclables from the waste
stream and which has threatened heavy fines and penalties for not coming
into compliance. In the meantime many residents have balked at too-high
compulsory fees, criticized the city for poor implementation and complained
about unsatisfactory service from trash collector Benz.
After getting a qualified blessing from Cal-Recycles officials in Sacramento,
city councilmen returned last month to put together a voluntary program that
they hoped would be accepted by both the public and the state.
But Taylor says that as long as there is no way to catch the recyclables that
self-haulers take to the county landfill, the city has little hope of meeting
diversion requirements and therefore gaining approval from state officials.
So far county staff and representatives have not been involved in the city’s
public discussion of the issue.
the city’s quest for a solution on the controversial mandatory trash and
recycling issue.
The city has been struggling for months to find a program that satisfies Cal-
Recycles — the oversight agency of the state, which maintains that the city
does not meet the required rate of diverting recyclables from the waste
stream and which has threatened heavy fines and penalties for not coming
into compliance. In the meantime many residents have balked at too-high
compulsory fees, criticized the city for poor implementation and complained
about unsatisfactory service from trash collector Benz.
After getting a qualified blessing from Cal-Recycles officials in Sacramento,
city councilmen returned last month to put together a voluntary program that
they hoped would be accepted by both the public and the state.
But Taylor says that as long as there is no way to catch the recyclables that
self-haulers take to the county landfill, the city has little hope of meeting
diversion requirements and therefore gaining approval from state officials.
So far county staff and representatives have not been involved in the city’s
public discussion of the issue.
A technology that converts solid waste into diesel fuel could represent the
answer to both a revenue shortage and a state mandate to increase
diversion (see also related story, this page), according to a company that
made a presentation to the council.
Mike Sakamoto of K2 Consul-ting outlined the “Katalytische Konversion”
process, which uses upwards of 80 percent of the materials in the waste
stream to produce a biomass fuel.
Sakamoto identified several options for a city-K2 partnership — ranging from
the city giving the company land in exchange for waste diversion and
disposal services to investing in the company for a share of the revenues.
answer to both a revenue shortage and a state mandate to increase
diversion (see also related story, this page), according to a company that
made a presentation to the council.
Mike Sakamoto of K2 Consul-ting outlined the “Katalytische Konversion”
process, which uses upwards of 80 percent of the materials in the waste
stream to produce a biomass fuel.
Sakamoto identified several options for a city-K2 partnership — ranging from
the city giving the company land in exchange for waste diversion and
disposal services to investing in the company for a share of the revenues.
By REBECCA NEIPP, News Review Staff Writer
Leaders see rosy outlook for community
Program speakers Capt. Mark Storch (left) and Scott O’Neil listen attentively
to other presenters during last week’s Economic Outlook Conference.
Photo by Laura Austin
to other presenters during last week’s Economic Outlook Conference.
Photo by Laura Austin
By REBECCA NEIPP
, News Review Staff Writer
, News Review Staff Writer
In keeping with the optimistic theme
“When Life Offers Lemons — Make
Lemonade,” speakers gave generally
upbeat messages during last week’s
Economic Outlook Conference, co-
sponsored by IWV 2000 and the
Ridgecrest Chamber of Commerce.
Presenters from local industries
discussed the challenges of working
through a financial recession, but the
common thread from most speakers
was a hope that the quality and
determination of IWV residents would
carry the community through to a
successful future.
“When Life Offers Lemons — Make
Lemonade,” speakers gave generally
upbeat messages during last week’s
Economic Outlook Conference, co-
sponsored by IWV 2000 and the
Ridgecrest Chamber of Commerce.
Presenters from local industries
discussed the challenges of working
through a financial recession, but the
common thread from most speakers
was a hope that the quality and
determination of IWV residents would
carry the community through to a
successful future.
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