Fairfax County supervisors emerged from a closed session meeting on Tuesday “outraged” over trash corporation Covanta’s attempt to renegotiate a deal struck with the county on March 29.
Essentially, Fairfax may have gotten burned. Despite recommendations from county staff last winter to purchase the trash plant run by Covanta, the board opted to continue with a longstanding public-private partnership with the company. By purchasing the plant (for the not insignificant sum of $400 million), Fairfax could’ve had control over “tip fees,” or the cost of getting rid of trash. By continuing with the public-private partnership, however, the county assumed far less risk, and far fewer costs.
Board members have so far kept mum about what exactly Covanta wants to renegotiate.
“In short, they are trying to change some of the agreed-to terms and add new terms to the detriment of the county,” said Supervisor Pat Herrity, R-Springfield.
“In long,” though, is anyone’s guess.
Supervisor John Cook, R-Braddock, quickly suggested that county staff “stop work on the [contract] extension amendment, and … explore all options, including legal and legislative options, for addressing the disposal of waste generated in the county.
“We had a deal and Covanta broke it. This is unacceptable,” Cook said.
