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4 <br />• many of the WTP discussed in the report are, at this time, considered unproven, have <br />limited operating experience, have only operated at a experimental scale or are presently <br />under development, have already been proven unreliable/infeasible, or still have very <br />high technological risk factors, <br />• mass burn waste to energy and pre-processing for a refuse derived fuel are the most <br />proven, environmentally secure, and technologically reliable WPT, <br />• County sponsorship and public ownership Would be required to insure capital, waste flow <br />control, and financing, <br />• all WPT are compatible with a high level of recycling, and <br />• siting a WPT will likely be as politically difficult as siting a landfill, although less space <br />would be required for the WPT. <br />The Solid Waste Advisory Board and staff advises: <br />While some WPT options may appear to have a degree of technical and environmental <br />feasibility, there is little short-term potential for waste processing technologies for Orange <br />County. There is insufficient waste available to support such a facility and the inherent <br />technological and financial risks are deemed exorbitant. It is felt that current energies and <br />attention should remain focused on completion of the transfer station development process and <br />the comprehensive, long-term, planning process underway by the Solid Waste Management <br />Work Group. Recommendations likely to surface through the Work Group's deliberations, if <br />ultimately adopted by the BOCC, will themselves require considerable time (3-5 years), energy <br />and resources to effectively implement. <br />Work Group recommendations are anticipated to be presented to the elected bodies by the <br />spring 2009. The SWAB discussed the report at its September 4 meeting and has developed a <br />recommendation (attached). The Solid Waste Management Department concurs with the <br />SWAB recommendation. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with receiving the Solid Waste <br />Process Technology Assessment. There would be considerable cost associated with the <br />adoption for implementation. The cost of conducting the technology assessment is $16,500. <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive the attached <br />report and request additional clarification or information if needed. <br />