By Roger McKinney
rmckinney@joplinglobe.com
GALENA, Kan. — A state agency rescinded approval for Galena to use fly ash as cover for its construction and demolition landfill, the Galena City Council learned this week.
Mayor Dale Oglesby said the Kansas Department of Health and Environment sent a letter notifying the city that it was rescinding its previous approval of the fly ash as landfill cover. The city has to cover the landfill daily, according to Oglesby. He also said that after researching it, agency officials determined that landfill cover was not one of the approved uses in state regulations.
“They’ve suggested we apply for a waiver,” Oglesby said. “I’m really in a holding pattern.”
The city paid $6,215 to transport 2,700 tons of fly ash from Empire District Electric Co.’s Riverton Generating Plant. The utility is providing the material at no cost and is paying for half the cost of transporting it.
Oglesby said he was disappointed that the agency would rescind its approval.
“It’s working really well at the landfill,” Oglesby said. “The state approved us to use it. It’s a very inert product.”
The city has about 1,800 tons of fly ash remaining after using it for a few days before the approval was rescinded.
The council voted to allow Oglesby to apply for a waiver to allow the city to use the material. Councilman Todd Martin voted against the measure.
New council member Neal Little, returning Council members Ken Bankson and Josh Reed and Oglesby took the oath of office at the end of the meeting.
It also was Councilman David Sizemore’s final meeting, after losing his bid to unseat Oglesby as mayor. He said he thought Galena was nearing an economic-development surge and he had confidence in Oglesby to lead the town.
In other business Tuesday, the council:
n Approved Jackie Noel as swimming pool manager.
n Approved sending two police officers to interview and interrogation training in Miami, Okla., in May at a cost of $595 each.
n Paid bills and payroll totaling $120,320.
Fly ash
Fly ash is a byproduct of burning coal, which is burned at Empire District Electric Co.’s Riverton, Kan., generating plant and elsewhere.
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