What’s expected to be the final permit renewal for the Gering landfill is currently in process, and with just over four years of space left in the existing facility, city officials continue working toward a regional landfill proposed north of Scottsbluff.
Gering City Engineer Annie Folck tells KNEB News while investigative work for the site in Sioux County continues to show it will be an ideal location for the regional facility, the official permit application still has yet to be officially submitted to the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy.
“They have done a lot of the work of drafting the permit, but one of the reasons we’re waiting is because we’re still trying to determine financing, and once the permit is approved, then you have a limited amount of time before you actually have to start construction.” said Folck. “So, we don’t want to submit that permit until we know where all the money is coming from, that we’re ready to pull the trigger and actually start construction.”
Folck says the process regarding finances has been complicated somewhat due to higher projected costs due to inflation, as well as the possible need to issue bonds for construction at a time when interest rates are not very favorable.
NDEE officials have made a preliminary determination to approve a five-year renewal application for the current landfill, and will consider comments submitted by June 25 in their final decision, which is expected before the current permit expires in August.
