Resident Request: HERC Communications with City of Minneapolis (July 31 to November 6)
I was invited to a meet with residents on November 12 to discuss the HERC. During the meeting, residents requested that I publish my communications with the City of Minneapolis on this topic.
This statement is written to fulfill this resident request, while I continue to coordinate with government partners to achieve a zero-waste future and the responsible conclusion of waste incineration in Hennepin County.
History and My Position on the HERC
During my first year as a Commissioner in 2019, there was no policy path toward concluding waste incineration at the HERC in any time frame.
During my first year as Chair in 2023, I was approached to identify 2040 as the year to conclude waste incineration – but I did not pursue this because I was seeking 2030 as a goal.
I believe the HERC can conclude waste incineration within this decade, but only with an operational plan for trash and significant investment for zero waste implementation.
I believe the HERC site should be converted to a Recycling and Recovery facility, in order to maintain continuous services for residents and to divert more material from the waste stream.
I oppose the suggestion to conclude incineration and send trash directly to landfills immediately.
The County is a political subdivision of the State of Minnesota; the County must remain compliant with the State overall, and specifically the State’s Waste Hierarchy.
The County receives waste at the HERC from cities and haulers; if the objective is for waste to be sent to landfills immediately, then cities and haulers are the decision-makers.
Landfill capacity, standards, and establishment are within the authority of the State of Minnesota; the County has no decision-making related to landfills.
I oppose the City of Minneapolis’ position for closure of the entire facility or any attempt to completely decommission the HERC facility (City of Minneapolis Resolution).
It is my strong belief that the City that generates the most waste in Minnesota should have a waste processing facility within its geography.
The absence of a waste processing facility within Minneapolis would mean that waste generated here would be sent elsewhere, which would contribute negatively to Environmental Justice communities in other areas.
The absence of an operational plan may result in trash literally piling up, which has caused public health concerns and service disruptions in other cities across the country.
A Timeline of my Communications Related to the HERC with the City of Minneapolis
July 31 – Hennepin County District 2 published a statement on the future of the HERC (link to my statement)
August 5 – Hennepin County Administration discussed a Board Action to Accelerate Zero Waste Implementation (link to Board Action), first published on July 29)
August 5 – City of Minneapolis COO sent a Letter to the Hennepin County Board (PDF)
August 5 – City of Minneapolis COO sent a Memo to the Hennepin County Board (PDF)
August 5 to 25 – Fernando and City Emails related to correspondence and an in-person meeting on August 25 (PDF)
August 27 and October 21 – Fernando Emails to Frey (PDF)
October 21 – Hennepin County Administration introduced a Board Action to Negotiate Waste Delivery Agreements (link to Board Action), first published on October 14
November 5 – City of Minneapolis COO sent Letter to the Hennepin County Board (PDF)
November 5 – City of Minneapolis COO sent supplemental materials to the Hennepin County Board (PDF)
November 6 – Hennepin County Board amended and approved both referenced Board Actions (numbers 2 and 7 above, except for the Minneapolis waste hauling contract. The Minneapolis contract was separated to come back before the Board for approval, which will be considered on December 11)
If you have further questions, comments, or concerns, please reach out to Constituent Services & Policy Aide Bill Emory at bill.emory@hennepin.us.