The city of Auburn will not purchase two trash compactors powered by natural gas.
The city, which has been considering for months adding the green vehicles to its fleet, will instead purchase two conventional diesel trash trucks. Local officials say the reason is financial, as the city can't receive grant money in time to subsidize the purchase.
“As much as I would like it to happen,” City Manager Mark Palesh said, “I don't want to waste taxpayers' money on a feel-good item if it really doesn't pan out.”
City officials were looking at compactors made by the manufacturer Autocar, and garbage crews took a prototype for a test drive in September. However, the vehicles cost approximately $140,000 each, which is between $70,000 to $90,000 more than conventional compactors, Palesh said.
The city was looking at possible state and federal grants to help pay the difference. But at this point, he continued, it is not clear how much money is out there and when it might be available.
“They might not even cover the full cost,” Palesh said of the grants. “And we need to get these things ordered quickly.”
Local green energy proponent Greg Lattimore, who has helped local municipalities including Auburn secure grants for such items, said this week that there is not enough money in the federal Clean Cities Program available for Auburn to cover the costs of the packers.
Lattimore said he is a “big proponent” of stepping up state and federal funding for these types of programs despite economic conditions. When these vehicles and technologies are showcased within a city government or school district, the green energy industry moves faster, he said.
“It's unfortunate that we're in an environment where everyone's budgets are being looked at to cut back,” Lattimore said. “But to move to the green technology of the future, we need to get money allocated in the right direction.”
But the hope is not entirely lost for natural gas-powered compactors. Palesh said the vehicles the city purchased will be equipped with engines that can be converted to natural gas.
Of course, the city would still need to find state or federal allocations before that happened, Palesh said.
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net
“As much as I would like it to happen,” City Manager Mark Palesh said, “I don't want to waste taxpayers' money on a feel-good item if it really doesn't pan out.”
City officials were looking at compactors made by the manufacturer Autocar, and garbage crews took a prototype for a test drive in September. However, the vehicles cost approximately $140,000 each, which is between $70,000 to $90,000 more than conventional compactors, Palesh said.
The city was looking at possible state and federal grants to help pay the difference. But at this point, he continued, it is not clear how much money is out there and when it might be available.
“They might not even cover the full cost,” Palesh said of the grants. “And we need to get these things ordered quickly.”
Local green energy proponent Greg Lattimore, who has helped local municipalities including Auburn secure grants for such items, said this week that there is not enough money in the federal Clean Cities Program available for Auburn to cover the costs of the packers.
Lattimore said he is a “big proponent” of stepping up state and federal funding for these types of programs despite economic conditions. When these vehicles and technologies are showcased within a city government or school district, the green energy industry moves faster, he said.
“It's unfortunate that we're in an environment where everyone's budgets are being looked at to cut back,” Lattimore said. “But to move to the green technology of the future, we need to get money allocated in the right direction.”
But the hope is not entirely lost for natural gas-powered compactors. Palesh said the vehicles the city purchased will be equipped with engines that can be converted to natural gas.
Of course, the city would still need to find state or federal allocations before that happened, Palesh said.
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net
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