Commissioners consider expanding landfill in Person County

An expansion to a Person County landfill is getting fresh impetus as county commissioners are scheduled to discuss the proposal Monday night.

A representative of Republic Waste Services made a presentation about the proposal at a meeting of the Person Board of County Commissioners.

The proposed expansion would let the Upper Piedmont Environmental landfill nearly triple the amount of trash it takes in daily.

Currently, the landfill receives 660 tons of trash daily, but the expansion could increase that to 1.75 million tons.

Republic wants to expand the landfill's service area from a 60-mile radius to a 70-mile radius, which would include parts of Durham and Raleigh.

Some county leaders said the expansion could provide a much-needed economic boost  to the area — an additional $1.44 million in revenue and a 4.5 cent decrease in the tax rate.

Opponents, including residents, argued earlier that the 600-acre landfill is already ruining the environment and their health.