Suddenly appearing near the end of the legislative session, a bill that would lower landfill-tipping fees while allowing a McDowell County landfill to take in more garbage appears likely to pass the Senate.

State landfills are currently not allowed to take in more than 10,000 tons of garbage a month, but the operators of the Capels landfill, which belongs to the McDowell County Commission, want to take in up to 50,000 a month.

Lobbyist Randy Cox said the legislation (SB770) would allow that. But because more garbage would be accepted in McDowell County, tipping fees at other landfills across the state could be lowered without the state losing money, he said. The state's cut might even go up slightly, he said.

If the McDowell landfill and others in the state are running near capacity for three consecutive months - around 570,000 tons - it would cause tipping fees to drop by $1.45 a ton across the state, he said. That money saved would go to the hauler.

That caused the state Municipal League to sign on as a supporter, said Lisa Dooley, executive director.

"[If] tipping fees are going down by $1.45, that will save some cities a tremendous amount of money," she said.

"This tipping fee will still be the highest in the region," Cox said, pointing to lower fees in Kentucky and Virginia.

Last year, the firm came to the Legislature late in the session and tried to pass a bill changing some state landfill regulations and raising the amount of trash it could take in to 100,000 tons a month. Cox said the firm might ask for an increase like that next year.

Plans call for the garbage to be brought to the landfill by train. Cox said it would pay the McDowell County Commission about $700,000 annually.

Suddenly appearing near the end of the legislative session, a bill that would lower landfill-tipping fees while allowing a McDowell County landfill to take in more garbage appears likely to pass the Senate.

State landfills are currently not allowed to take in more than 10,000 tons of garbage a month, but the operators of the Capels landfill, which belongs to the McDowell County Commission, want to take in up to 50,000 a month.

Lobbyist Randy Cox said the legislation (SB770) would allow that. But because more garbage would be accepted in McDowell County, tipping fees at other landfills across the state could be lowered without the state losing money, he said. The state's cut might even go up slightly, he said.

If the McDowell landfill and others in the state are running near capacity for three consecutive months - around 570,000 tons - it would cause tipping fees to drop by $1.45 a ton across the state, he said. That money saved would go to the hauler.

That caused the state Municipal League to sign on as a supporter, said Lisa Dooley, executive director.

"[If] tipping fees are going down by $1.45, that will save some cities a tremendous amount of money," she said.

"This tipping fee will still be the highest in the region," Cox said, pointing to lower fees in Kentucky and Virginia.

Last year, the firm came to the Legislature late in the session and tried to pass a bill changing some state landfill regulations and raising the amount of trash it could take in to 100,000 tons a month. Cox said the firm might ask for an increase like that next year.

Plans call for the garbage to be brought to the landfill by train. Cox said it would pay the McDowell County Commission about $700,000 annually.

With bills having to be read on the floor of each chamber three times before passage, the landfill bill was read a second time Friday in the Senate. On Monday, each chamber must complete work on bills they originated and begin to work Tuesday only on legislation passed by the other chamber.

Friday, senators passed a Manchin administration bill that would cut taxes on jets and other aircraft stored in the state on a 28-1 vote. Sen. Randy White, D-Webster, voted against.

Other floor action Friday included:

To contact staff writer Tom Searls, use e-mail or call 348-5198.