Controversial Scott County landfill ordered closed. What that means for Lexington trash
A controversial Scott County dump that has been the center of multiple legal fights the past few years has been ordered closed, a win for neighbors of the Central Kentucky Landfill and Scott County officials.
The Waste Services of the Bluegrass landfill in northern Scott County has taken Fayette County’s trash since 2015. All trash that once went to the landfill now is diverted to a permitted landfill in the Morehead area, Lexington city officials said.
Waste Services of the Bluegrass has not asked to increase its contract amount even though it must now haul Lexington garbage more than 60 miles, said Susan Straub, a spokeswoman for the city of Lexington.
The Waste Services contract with the city says even if the Scott County landfill closes, it must continue to take Lexington’s trash. The contract was originally awarded in 2015 and a second five-year extension was granted in June 2020.
Kentucky Energy and Environment Secretary Rebecca Goodman ruled Oct. 29 that Scott County had properly implemented a new solid waste plan that ultimately nixed all new trash, including out-of-county garbage. Goodman’s order also upheld a previous order that said the landfill was out of capacity and must close by Oct. 31.
Waste Services filed a petition for an emergency injunction to stop the landfill’s closure. Franklin Circuit Court Judge Thomas Wingate denied the emergency injunction in late October.
There have been more than ten different legal actions — some administrative appeals with the Energy and Environment Cabinet and various lawsuits — over the landfill’s operation or expansion.
A Waste Service’s lawyer did not immediately return a phone call or email asking for comment.
It was the company’s contract with Lexington that largely started the legal tussle over the fate of the landfill. The increase in truck traffic coupled with an increase in garbage meant more complaints and notices of violations from state environmental officials.
Waste Services’ officials asked the Lexington council in May to write the state environmental cabinet about overturning Scott County’s Waste Management Plan, which was adopted in August.
Despite pleas from Scott County officials and Mayor Linda Gorton not to do so, some members of the Lexington council voted in June to send a resolution to Goodman outlining their support of Waste Services and its bid to expand. Waste Services’ contract to haul trash was much lower than other bidders, saving the city millions of dollars over the life of the contract. Council members who supported the resolution said they were concerned Waste Services will not be able to honor its contract and rebidding would cost the county a lot more money, which would be passed on to taxpayers.
Scott County Judge-Executive Joe Pat Covington said Monday that as of now, the landfill will remain closed.
“They have the right to appeal,” Covington said. “But as of now, the landfill is closed.”
It’s not clear if Waste Services of the Bluegrass will appeal and in what court.
This story was originally published November 9, 2021 at 10:33 AM.
