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Ada County Commissioners announced they plan to officially kill any plans for a waste-to-energy plant in Ada County.

The County Commissioners and Dynamis Energy representatives have carefully reviewed comments from the City of Boise and the City of Meridian, as well as the financial impacts and advisability of proceeding with the project. Both parties said the termination comes as a result of a variety of factors concerning the project.

“Although this was a tough decision to make, we feel it is in the best interest of our constituents,” said Ada County Commission Chairman Dave Case. “This decision will help the county move forward in a positive direction with our continued commitment for greater transparency and collaboration.”

Dynamis originally planned to build a $70-million waste-to-energy plant. The county gave the company $2 million to design it. “Dynamis is disappointed that the schedule no longer allows for the project to proceed. We wish the Ada County Commissioners success with their municipal solid waste and renewable energy strategies,” said Lloyd Mahaffey, Chairman and CEO, Dynamis Energy.
   
Dynamis was suppose to give the money back in exchange for ownership of the plans, but in the settlement agreement, the county will drop its request for Dynamis to return the $2 million.

Opponents of the plant are pleased with the contract termination. "At this point, I'm happy to see that it was terminated,” said one resident. “Super excited to hear that it's terminated. Now we can stay here, it’s nice," said another resident.

However, if the county keeps possession of the plans, legal opponents said they're worried history might repeat itself.

"That concern comes out of the fact that the county owns the plans under the settlement,” said Andrew Schoppe, who is the attorney representing the citizens group, “It obtains the right to build this kind of project. It can build the same project if it wanted to.”

The citizens group, many from the Hidden Springs community, sued the county because of concerns over possible health hazards from the plant and lack of transparency of the whole process. They have not yet decided whether to end their lawsuit, due to the contract now being terminated.

The settlement agreement will be presented to the Board of Commissioners to be signed on Tuesday, February 19th at 9:00 a.m., in an open business meeting to be held at the Ada County Courthouse.