A Waste-to-Energy Incinerator for Benewah County: A First Look

With recent discussions about the possibility of building a waste-to-energy incinerator in Benewah County, we decided to take a closer look at what such a project might involve.

A waste-to-energy facility burns municipal garbage at high temperatures, using the heat to produce steam and generate electricity. Modern facilities also use pollution-control equipment to capture many of the harmful substances produced during combustion. The concept offers two potential benefits: reducing the amount of garbage sent to landfills and producing electricity in the process. However, building and operating such a facility would be a substantial undertaking.

How large would it need to be?

Benewah County alone does not generate enough garbage to economically support a conventional municipal waste-to-energy plant. A more realistic possibility would be a regional facility serving Benewah, Kootenai, Bonner, Latah and Shoshone counties, representing approximately 313,000 residents. Preliminary estimates suggest a facility processing 500–900 tons of garbage per day, depending on how much usable waste the participating counties could provide. For comparison, Spokane operates a waste-to-energy facility capable of processing approximately 800 tons daily.

What would it cost?

Based on preliminary construction estimates, a regional facility could cost approximately $250 million to $900 million to build. Operating expenses, financing costs, transportation, maintenance and disposal of residual ash would add to the overall expense. Revenue could come from garbage disposal fees, electricity sales and recovery of recyclable metals. Whether those revenues could adequately support the project would require a detailed financial analysis.

What about the environmental impact?

Modern incinerators must comply with federal air-quality standards and use sophisticated pollution-control systems. Nevertheless, incineration does not eliminate waste entirely. Approximately 25–30% of the incoming garbage's weight remains as ash. There are two principal types: bottom ash, which remains after combustion, and fly ash, which is captured by pollution-control equipment. Some bottom ash can potentially be processed for construction materials, while fly ash requires particularly careful handling because it can contain concentrated heavy metals, salts and other contaminants. Any proposed facility would need to address air emissions, ash disposal, water use, truck traffic and potential effects on surrounding communities.

What would have to happen first?

Before construction could even be considered, participating counties would need to determine whether a regional facility makes economic and practical sense. That would involve agreements among counties, an independent feasibility study, site evaluations, environmental reviews, public hearings, permits and a financing plan. A project of this magnitude could take approximately 8–10 years from initial planning to operation.

Is it worth considering?

Potential advantages include reduced reliance on landfills, local electricity generation, recovery of certain materials and possible employment opportunities.

Potential disadvantages include high construction costs, long-term financial commitments, environmental concerns and the continuing need for landfill capacity.

An important consideration is that participating counties would likely need to guarantee a steady supply of garbage for many years to support financing.

The bottom line

A waste-to-energy incinerator is a viable option, and whether it would make economic or environmental sense for Benewah County remains an open question absolutely deserving of further investigation. A first meaningful step could be an independent regional feasibility study comparing incineration with existing disposal methods, expanded recycling, composting and other alternatives. For now, the most important questions are not simply whether an incinerator could be built, but whether it would also provide a practical, affordable and environmentally responsible solution for the communities it would serve. Stay tuned!