Next Steps for Solid Waste: The Benton County Board of Commissioners will be looking at the recommended next steps for the county’s Sustainable Materials Management Plan at the August 15 meeting.
The board will mull over four recommendations presented by the Benton County Solid Waste Trash Workgroup.
“While the board is not required by law to pursue a regional long-range sustainable materials management plan, Benton County is required to uphold its statutory obligations to the State of Oregon and its commitments under a landfill franchise agreement and solid waste collection franchise agreement,” said Community Development Director, Darren Nichols.
The first recommended action is to accept the revised request for proposal and direct staff to incorporate the Board’s discussion into a revised final draft request for proposal for the Board to consider and authorize the release of the final request for proposal at its regularly scheduled meeting on Sept. 5.
The second would authorize the creation of an ad hoc Sustainable Materials Management Committee and direct staff to prepare and present to the Board of Commissioners a list of proposed committee members, including for consideration, as appropriate, current members of the solid waste process work group and disposal site advisory committee and draft a formal committee charge.
The third recommended action would dissolve the Benton County Solid Waste Advisory Committee effective immediately and direct staff to develop a committee charge consistent with the roles of the solid waste advisory council and the disposal site advisory committee.
The final recommended action is to direct staff to develop a “listening session” concept and present options to the Board for consideration at its Sept. 5 meeting.
A final decision on the next steps must be made by the Sept. 5 Board of Commissioners meeting.
Energy Saving Tax Credits: The City of Corvallis has called attention to the Federal Home Improvement Programs for Energy Saving and Sustainability for homeowners. The city is seeking clarification to see if these tax saving programs can at some point apply to renters. The credits can only be applied if you have owed something on your taxes.
This program would include savings on a home energy audit by a licensed professional to identify potential paths to greater energy efficacy in your home. The tax credit would cover 30% of the cost, up to $150.
Clean energy technologies also include a tax credit to cover 30% of total purchase price, with no cap. Included on the qualified list is solar panels, wind turbines, geothermal heat pumps, and standalone batteries.
Other home energy tax credits are included for renovations aimed at reducing energy usage, installation of a heat pump, and other energy saving renovations and appliances. The program also includes specific rebates and discounts for low-and moderate-income households.
For more information on this program: https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/cd/page/federal-home-improvements-programs-energy-saving-and-sustainability
By Jennifer Warner
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