The board discussed AB 479, which Chesbro introduced in January, which would increase the solid waste diversion rates from landfills by 10 percent to 60 percent by January 2015 and to 75 percent by January 2020. It also would significantly increase the fees the county pays the state on a quarterly basis for its landfill tonnage.
The board received information in recent days that Chesbro wanted members to indicate areas in the bill that they specifically oppose.
Supervisor Rob Brown suggested opposing the bill as it's currently written. “It shouldn't be an unfunded mandate either to the local jurisdictions or the ratepayers.”
Board Chair Denise Rushing said she discussed the bill on Monday with Chesbro's office, which indicated that the bill's intention is to generate funds that would stay local to help jurisdictions create diversion programs.
“The concern that I have is that this is legislation that we see all the time, one size fits all,” said Brown, adding that, in some cases, the county is way ahead of other areas in its recycling efforts and diversion.
He said he doubted the additional fees the county and ratepayers would be required to pay would actually come back to Lake County. “It never has before.”
Rushing said the county is asking for local control in the bill. Replied Brown, “We have a lot of control now.”
Supervisor Jim Comstock agreed with Brown's concerns.
“In my opinion the best way to keep the money locally is to never take it from the ratepayers in the first place,” he said. “I cannot support in any way taking more funds from us.”
Supervisor Jeff Smith was curious to know how the county's diversion efforts are going. He cited the city of Clearlake, which is struggling to meet the state's mandated 50-percent diversion rate because of its already low amount of garbage. “Their numbers started out so low, lower than Lakeport or the county.”
He said it sounds to him like having Clearlake meet 50 percent diversion is nearly impossible, and he doesn't want to see AB 479 make that diversion rate more out of reach.
“We need a lot more information, as far as I'm concerned, before we can make a decision about which way to go,” he said.
Supervisor Anthony Farrington said the bill's timeliness, considering the economy, “is probably not the best.”
He also was contacted by Chesbro's office, and believed Chesbro wants to work with the county. Farrington suggested holding off on taking a position while the county and Chesbro work out some issues.
Rushing agreed that it's premature to oppose the bill. She said the bill's intention is to create a funding stream for local diversion programs.
County Chief Administrative Officer Kelly Cox said the county would have to start paying the new fees next January. The fees are estimated to jump from $70,000 currently to $195,000 if the bill is passed.
“We've long complained about the $70,000 we pay,” he said, noting the county gets very little of the money back, and it has strings attached. Cox said the county can't afford the fee increase.
Smith suggested a California Refund Value (CRV) needs to be attached to appliances and tires, since those items are a big garbage concern for the county.
Rushing asked Brown and Comstock if they believe in the eventual goal of zero waste.
Brown said it's unattainable, and Comstock said there will always be a certain amount of waste generated.
Rushing said she believed they have a difference of philosophy, and that zero waste is possible. “I think you need to fit into natural systems, ultimately.”
Brown agreed that they have a different philosophy. He also voiced concern that special interests' influence helped craft the bill.
The bill states that 64 percent of the state's solid waste disposal comes from businesses, but he challenged that information, and also said the county's Public Services Department has worked to prevent destruction of natural resources in managing its landfill.
As to solid waste contributing to global warming, “That's a crock,” he said. Rushing replied that it's true.
Brown called AB 479 “feel good legislation.”
Cox said the letter focuses on the county's objection to the proposed fee. “That's what we were concerned about,” he said. “We do not have the ability with our current revenue stream to pay that increase in fee.”
Ruth Valenzuela from Chesbro's office said the the US only recycles about 30 percent of its waste. In California, the state diverts 58 percent of its waste stream.
The recycling process uses 75 percent less power than manufacturing from virgin materials, said Valenzuela.
She said AB 479 sets a new standard for diversion, creates shared responsibility between state and local governments, and will hold manufacturers responsible for the part their packaging plays in solid waste. It also allows the California Air Resource Board to take advantage of greenhouse gas reductions at manufacturing sites.
Rushing pointed out that the city of Santa Rosa has its solid waste trucked through Lake County on its way to a Central Valley landfill. More diversion would result in less pressure from trucks on the county's roads.
The board decided to have the Solid Waste Task Force come back with the revised letter. Main concerns suggested for addition to the text are the timing and level of the fee increase, which the economy can't support, and emphasis on keeping the new fees local.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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