News Details
Energy/Compost Facility Consideration
Update: On December 8, 2014 Staff presented the proposals to Council received in response to the Compost Request for Proposals (RFP). The Compost RFP had been issued on July 3, 2014 with proposals due September 15, 2014. Council rejected all proposals, due to their relatively high cost, and directed staff to focus on the other components of the Organics Facilities Plan which Council had accepted on May 8, 2014. These other components will result in phasing out the wastewater sludge incinerators, and installing an anaerobic digester for wastewater sludge and food scraps. The Compost RFP would have resulted in a Compost Facility for yard trimmings on the Measure "E" site. End of Update.
On February 10, 2014, staff presented to Council a Measure "E" Update: The Energy/Compost Facility Request for Proposals (E/CF RFP) Identified Pricing for Privately-Funded Projects and Technologies to Jointly Handle Food Scraps, Yard Trimmings and Biosolids and Considered Processing at the Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP) and/or Using the 10-Acre Measure E Site as well as Export Options. A summary of the E/CF RFP Proposals, Integration with the Biosolids Facility Plan and a Proposed Organics Plan are included in this staff report.
Background: On November 8, 2011 Palo Alto voters approved Measure "E", which undedicated 10 acres of Byxbee Park adjacent to the sewage treatment plant (the Regional Water Quality Control Plant or RWQCP) for a ten year period while an Energy/Compost Facility is considered for the site. The facility could, if approved, utilize food scraps, yard trimmings and wastewater solids in the production of energy and compost.
The Facility Consideration webpage is the third in a series of webpages which are designed to keep the public informed as an Energy/Compost Facility in Palo Alto is considered. The first tracked the work of the Compost Blue Ribbon Task Force. The second website tracked the development and finalization of the Energy/Compost Feasibility Study and the Environmental Impact Initial Study.
For official information on the RFP and all Addenda
- RFP 154377 Construction Design, Operation and Maintenance (July 2014)
- RFP 153692 Program Management Services (April 2014)
- RFP 149103 Development Process (2013)
- City Council Related Documents
- Staff Report 5182 (December 8, 2014)
- Action Minutes (to be added)
- Staff Report 4744 (May 12, 2014)
- Staff Report 4550 (April 29, 2014)
- Staff Report 4051 (February 10, 2014)
- Staff Report 3269 (January 14, 2013)
- Staff Report 2557 (July 2, 2012)
- Staff Report 2554 (March 5, 2012)
- Staff Report 2361 (February 6, 2012)
- Staff Report 5182 (December 8, 2014)
- Landfill Documents
- Postponement Request with Attachment (January 18, 2013)
- Litigation
- Maps and Diagrams
- Measure "E" 2011
- Frequently Asked Questions - (About a potential Energy/Compost Facility in Palo Alto)
- Text of Measure "E" Approved by Voters 2011
- Policy, Plans and Resolutions
- Ahwahnee Water Principles (2005)
- Bay Friendly Resolution (2008)
- Baylands Master Plan (2008)
- Bike Transportation Plan (2003)
- Carbon Neutral Plan (2013)
- Clean Bay Plan (2014)
- Climate Protection Plan (2007)
- Earth Day Staff Report (2014)
- Electric Vehicle Policy
- Environmentally Preferred Purchasing Policy (2008)
- Extended Producer Responsibility Policy (2009)
- Externality Costs Resolution No. 9013 (2009)
- Gas Long-Term Plan (2012)
- Green Building
- Green Business Resolution No. 7877 (1999)
- Integrated Pest Management Policy (2001)
- Local Solar Plan (2014)
- Long Term Energy Acquisition Plan (LEAP) (2012)
- Mercury and Dioxin Elimination Policy (2000)
- Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan - (Link to Webpage)
- Plastics Reduction Policy (2009)
- Procurement of Recycled Paper and Recycled Paper Products (2003)
- Recycled Water Master Plan (Not available as pdf or online hardcopy available at the RWQCP)
- Sustainability Policy
- Ultra-Violet Facility Plan (2005)
- Urban Forest Master Plan
- Urban Water Management Plan (2010)
- Utilities 2011 Strategic Plan (Updated 2013)
- Zero Waste Operational Plan (2007)
- Zero Waste Strategic Plan (2005)
- Public Meetings
- April 2014 Presentation
- October 17, 2012
Downtown Public Library
270 Forest Avenue (5-7 pm)- Presentation with Agenda (RFP Issues and Performance Specifications)
- Draft RFP Issues and Performance Specifications
- April 25, 2012
- Public Comments
- RFP Development Process (2013) (for official information on the RFP and all Addenda )
- Resource/Supporting Documents
- Schedule of Activities
- Sustainability Governance Structure
Last Updated: October 31, 2013