In numerous discussions and hearings over the past three years, Freedom Energy Hernando, LLC has been selected as the top choice to design, build and manage a material “Waste to Energy” facility, which would ultimately reduce the amount of waste going into the County landfill.
There have been additional hearings and contract amendments since the initial “Request for Proposal” (RFP), and the final hearing to approve the latest contract was held at the May 23rd Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) regular meeting. This portion of the meeting opened with citizens public comment, with all speakers expressing their disapproval of the contract.
Hernando county citizen Richard Frager opened the discussion and compared the intended contract to government-run program, saying, “ I’m definitely in favor of converting energy to waste. I’ve seen it work. I do not consider it free market when government guarantees a business an annual profit.”
Mr. Frager also cited the failure of the Walt Disney Corporation to find a market for their energy product (pellets), stating, “If there is not a market for pellets from Disney’s trash, will there be for pellets from Hernando County’s trash?”
Richard Ross, also of Hernando County, read the specific items in the new contract that he found to directly contradict previous contracts, or are in violation of existing Hernando County ordinances. Resident Chuck Gordon suggested that perhaps a reduced land use period may be favorable if the contract is approved, citing the short period of time that Freedom Energy has been a business entity with little record.
Lynn Gruber-White, Chair of Planning and Zoning Commission addressed the board and those present, saying “The county has no stake in this venture. We’re turning over our landfill, our scale, our scale house, our transfer stations, our entire recycling program… more resources, more assets without getting a stake in the business venture. This is not a good deal for the county at all.”
Resident Anthony Palmieri indicated he agreed with everything mentioned by Lynn Gruber-White, and mentioned additional concerns with Freedom Energy, such as IRS and questions of the company’s financial stability.
After public comment concluded, Commissioner John Allocco made a motion to deny the current contract, and cease future negotiation of this project.
Commissioner Nick Nicholson requested the representatives of Freedom Energy Hernando be given the opportunity speak, and mentioned several corrections to items discussed; “They spoke about us giving them a loan, and we’re not giving them a loan. They wanted us to be part-owner we’re not not going to do that because then we’d have a financial liability… I think it’s up to the loaning agency as to their financial stability and if they can meet the conditions of the contract which is to get the loan to build a plant, get it operating and sell the product which is all their responsibilities… I think we should allow them to speak first before we make a motion.”
Attorney Jake Varn of Tallahassee, representing Freedom Energy Hernando, addressed the board, and contended that a number of citizen statements have been rehash of issues already addressed, and further disagreed with Richard Ross’ legal opinions. Mr. Varn also stated “I would point out that in this case what you have before you is not a bid, it is a response to an RFP… in an RFP you negotiate a contract if you are selected as the party that the county wants to do business with. He further went on to say that Freedom Energy’s assuming responsibility of the Convenience Center would save Hernando county $1 million per year.
Matt Mundy, the CEO of Freedom Energy calls his business a “leading edge technology.” Of the prerequisites and markets, Mr. Mundy said, “ We’ve got those things in place. Your county has those things in place … we’ve got financing … our financing people [are] ready to go. We’ve got the markets. Your people have talked to some of our markets.”
“Why not Hernando? Why not now? We’ve got markets in this area that need fuel you’re just putting fuel in the ground,” Mundy said.
Commissioner Steve Champion commented on his review and education of the project since he’s been in office, “I think we could all agree that [it’s] wasting energy… to put 90% of the trash in the ground … that’s not a great idea. However, he went on to say, “There’s just too many holes in it for me to the support it.”
Commissioner John Mitten seconded the motion and said, “If you were to consider relational leadership, this project rates right at the top and I don’t think anybody else could have brought it to where it is today without those that have been behind it. If it were simply a trust question in relationships that’s one thing, but I think we have a fiduciary responsibility the taxpayers to demand a great deal of empiricism.” Commissioner Mitten added, “I do not see a compelling technology without contracted markets, I do not see a compelling company without a site, and without the documentation behind it and I would have to agree I cannot at this time support this.”
The motion passed unanimously.