Fairfax County’s powerful Chamber of Commerce called on its members to join a coalition opposed to the county’s plan to purchase a $417 million trash incinerator in the Lorton area. “Many in our community believe that the county staff’s priorities are misplaced in recommending spending hundreds of millions of dollars to purchase a trash incinerator at a time when our economy remains weak and many core government services have been reduced or eliminated,” said a letter explaining the group’s opposition. The facility has been operated for more than 20 years by Covanta Fairfax, part of a multinational company based in New Jersey. But an option in the county’s lease with the facility allows for purchase this year, at the Board of Supervisors’ request.
County Executive Anthony Griffin has put his support behind the purchase based on a staff report suggesting that by 2030, ownership would allow the county to save money over a continued lease agreement. The purchase would be made with revenue bonds, meaning money earned by the facility in coming years would pay for the purchase.
The Board of Supervisors has until early March to make its decision. Gerald Hyland, D-Mount Vernon, was the first to come out in support of it. The facility is in Hyland’s southernmost district. Pat Herrity, R-Springfield, has been the most vocal opponent of the purchase.
Herrity said Thursday he distrusts the county staff’s study, recalling that “the same people who prepared the projections are the ones who said initially the plant was worth $200 million.”
An independent evaluation later found the plant to be worth more than $400 million.
Hyland did not return calls seeking comment.
The Chamber of Commerce is urging its members to speak against the proposal at a Feb. 22 Board of Supervisors public hearing.
