County CouncilWednesday, November 11
County Council votes 6-5 to keep the Dickerson incinerator open
The Daily Rockville team
The County Council voted 6-5 Tuesday to support keeping the Dickerson incinerator, formally the Resource Recovery Facility, open for the long term. The resolution calls for upgrades like emissions-reduction technology and better ash treatment, plus a food-waste composting facility.
The council split 6-5 on keeping the incinerator
Montgomery County Council vote, Nov. 10
6–5
Support long-term use of the Dickerson incinerator and a food scrap composting facility
Yes 6
- Fani-GonzálezDistrict 6
- KatzDistrict 3
- LuedtkeDistrict 7
- StewartDistrict 4
- EvansAt-large
- GlassAt-large
No 5
- BalcombeDistrict 2
- MinkDistrict 5
- FriedsonDistrict 1
- JawandoAt-large
- SaylesAt-large
Source: Bethesda Magazine
View as table
| Member | Seat | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Natali Fani-González | District 6 | Yes |
| Sidney Katz | District 3 | Yes |
| Dawn Luedtke | District 7 | Yes |
| Kate Stewart | District 4 | Yes |
| Shebra Evans | At-large | Yes |
| Evan Glass | At-large | Yes |
| Marilyn Balcombe | District 2 | No |
| Kristin Mink | District 5 | No |
| Andrew Friedson | District 1 | No |
| Will Jawando | At-large | No |
| Laurie-Anne Sayles | At-large | No |
Council President Natali Fani-González, who backed it, said shipping trash to Virginia could leave the county in limbo if that state changes its mind. Outgoing County Executive Marc Elrich wanted to close the plant. Councilmember Will Jawando, the county executive-elect, voted no, saying final costs aren't clear. The modernization estimate is $356 million.
- The vote is non-binding
- Funding goes through the fiscal 2028 capital budget, which starts July 1
- Jawando's proposal to the council: due Jan. 15
- Jawando is sworn in as county executive Dec. 7
The incinerator plan carries a $356 million estimate
- $356 million
- estimated cost to modernize the incinerator
- 600,000 tons
- of waste processed there each year
- $28 million
- already approved for a composting facility
- $44 million
- about, for Elrich's plan to haul waste out of state
Sources: The MoCo Show, Bethesda Magazine, WJLA, WTOP News, FOX 5 DC
Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe, who voted no and whose district includes Dickerson, said the health of nearby residents is "being negatively impacted by this facility." Fani-González said she hopes the vote adds 20 years to the incinerator's useful life.
Sources: The MoCo Show, Bethesda Magazine, WJLA, WTOP News, FOX 5 DC