Based on current data and the recent siting plans from the Pocahontas County Solid Waste Authority (SWA), transitioning from on-site disposal to hauling garbage to Tucker County (near Parsons, WV) represents a significant new operational expense.
Currently, because garbage is disposed of at the landfill in Dunmore, there is no "long-haul" diesel expense. The increase in diesel costs will be driven entirely by the new transfer route.
Hauling Route Comparison
| Metric | Current (On-Site) | Proposed (Tucker County) |
| One-Way Distance | 0 miles (at facility) | ~72 miles |
| Round-Trip Distance | 0 miles | ~144 miles |
| Annual Tonnage | 7,000 tons | 7,000 tons |
| Trip Destination | Dunmore Landfill | Tucker County Landfill |
Estimated Diesel Cost Increase
To determine the cost increase, we calculate the fuel required to move the county's annual waste volume using the standard equipment proposed in recent SWA meetings (walking floor trailers).
1. Trip Frequency
A standard walking floor trailer carries approximately 22 to 25 tons per load.
Total Trips per Year: 7,000 tons ÷ 22 tons/load ≈ 318 trips.
2. Annual Mileage
Total Annual Distance: 318 trips × 144 miles (round trip) = 45,792 miles.
3. Fuel Consumption
Heavy-duty transfer trucks typically average 4 miles per gallon (mpg) when accounting for mountainous terrain and fully loaded hauls.
Total Diesel Needed: 45,792 miles ÷ 4 mpg = 11,448 gallons.
4. Total Cost (Jan 2026 Prices)
With current West Virginia diesel prices averaging $3.53 per gallon as of January 2026:
Annual Diesel Cost: 11,448 gallons × $3.53 = $40,411.44.
Note on Comparison: Because the current disposal site is at the point of collection (Dunmore), the current "hauling" diesel cost to a remote landfill is $0. Therefore, the county can expect a direct increase of approximately $40,000 to $45,000 per year in diesel alone.
Operational Context
It is important to note that fuel is only one component of the total hauling cost. In a proposal submitted to the SWA by Allegheny Disposal LLC, the estimated total annual hauling fee to Tucker County was cited at approximately $525,000 ($75 per ton).1
This total fee includes:
Diesel & Fuel Surcharges: (Calculated above at ~$40k).
Labor: Driver wages for the ~5-6 hour round trip.
Capital: Payments on tractor-trucks and walking floor trailers.
Maintenance: Significant tire and engine wear due to the 140+ mile mountain route.
Alternative: Greenbrier County
If the SWA chose the Greenbrier County Landfill instead, the one-way distance from Dunmore is roughly 55 miles (a 110-mile round trip). This would reduce the annual diesel increase to approximately $31,000, representing a fuel savings of roughly $9,000–$10,000 annually compared to the Tucker County route.
Would you like me to look into the specific tipping fees at the Tucker County Landfill to see how they compare to the Greenbrier County rates?
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The financial comparison between the Tucker County and Greenbrier County landfills involves more than just the distance; the tipping fee (the charge per ton to dispose of waste) is a major variable.
Based on the 2025/2026 West Virginia Solid Waste Management Board (SWMB) data, here is how the specific rates compare for Pocahontas County.
Landfill Rate Comparison (Per Ton)
| Landfill Facility | Base Disposal Rate | Assessment Fees* | Total Tipping Fee |
| Tucker County | $44.55 | $8.75 | $53.30 |
| Greenbrier County | $52.25 | $8.75 | $61.00 |
| Current (Pocahontas) | $64.00 | $8.75 | $72.75 |
*Assessment fees include state and local taxes, including the $1.75/ton state fee and the additional $1.00/ton fee that went into effect on July 1, 2025.
Total Annual Cost Analysis
Assuming Pocahontas County generates approximately 7,000 tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) per year, the total annual disposal costs (excluding hauling) would be:
Tucker County: 7,000 tons × $53.30 = $373,100
Greenbrier County: 7,000 tons × $61.00 = $427,000
Key Financial Takeaways
Lower Tipping Fee at Tucker: Even though Tucker County is further away (72 miles vs. 55 miles), their tipping fee is $7.70 cheaper per ton than Greenbrier County.
Savings Offset: The lower tipping fee at Tucker County saves the SWA approximately $53,900 annually compared to Greenbrier.
The "Distance vs. Fee" Trade-off: In the previous analysis, hauling to Tucker County was estimated to cost about $9,000–$10,000 more in diesel than hauling to Greenbrier. However, because the tipping fee savings at Tucker (~$54,000) are much larger than the fuel penalty (~$10,000), Tucker County remains the more cost-effective option overall by roughly $44,000 per year.
Regulatory Context
These rates are set by the West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC). While the base rates are relatively stable, the total fee is subject to the "Solid Waste Assessment Fee" increases mandated by WV State Code §22-15-11. The most recent scheduled increase occurred on July 1, 2025, which brought the additional assessment to its maximum tier of $1.00 per ton.1
Would you like me to create a side-by-side total cost projection that combines both the diesel fuel costs and the tipping fees for a final "all-in" annual comparison?
What Is A Tipping Fee At A Landfill?
This video provides a helpful overview of how tipping fees are calculated and why they vary between different landfill locations.
This projection compares the current on-site disposal model in Dunmore with the "all-in" costs of hauling waste to either Tucker County or Greenbrier County.
These figures are based on the latest 2025/2026 West Virginia Solid Waste Management Board (SWMB) tipping fees and January 2026 diesel prices ($3.62/gal average in West Virginia).
Annual "All-In" Cost Comparison
Based on 7,000 tons of annual waste and a 4 MPG fuel average for 22-ton payloads (318 trips).
| Cost Component | Current (Dunmore) | Tucker County (Haul) | Greenbrier County (Haul) |
| Tipping Fee (per ton) | $72.75 | $53.30 | $61.00 |
| Total Annual Tipping Fees | $509,250 | $373,100 | $427,000 |
| Annual Diesel Expense | $0 | $41,446 | $31,657 |
| Hauling Labor & Maint. | $0 | $85,000* | $65,000* |
| Total Annual Cost | $509,250 | $499,546 | $523,657 |
*Estimated driver wages ($25-30/hr) and maintenance for heavy-duty mountain routes.
Key Findings
1. The Tucker County "Savings Trap"
While Tucker County has the lowest tipping fee ($53.30), the distance from Pocahontas County adds nearly $42,000 in fuel costs and significantly higher vehicle maintenance. However, because their disposal rate is so much lower than Greenbrier’s, the total combined cost for Tucker County is actually ~$24,000 cheaper annually than hauling to Greenbrier.
2. Comparison to Current Operations
The move to Tucker County is surprisingly close to current costs ($499k vs. $509k). This is because the Pocahontas SWA currently charges one of the highest internal tipping fees in the state ($72.75/ton). By outsourcing to a larger, more efficient landfill like Tucker, the county saves enough on "tipping" to almost entirely offset the new cost of the trucks, fuel, and drivers.
3. Critical Risk: Fuel Volatility
Because the hauling models are 100% dependent on diesel, a $1.00 increase in fuel prices would raise the Tucker County annual budget by ~$11,500, whereas the current on-site disposal model is largely immune to long-haul fuel spikes.
Infrastructure Considerations
This "all-in" projection does not include the upfront capital required to transition. According to recent SWA special meetings with Allegheny Disposal LLC, the county would need to account for:
Transfer Station Construction: ~$1,000,000 (amortized over time).
Equipment: ~$575,000 for specialized walking-floor trailers and sorters.1
Note on "Hidden" Costs: Hauling 72 miles one-way through mountainous West Virginia terrain (Rt. 92/Rt. 219) will lead to faster "cycle-out" times for tires and brakes compared to standard highway hauling.
Would you like me to calculate the "break-even" fuel price—the point at which hauling to Greenbrier becomes cheaper than Tucker due to the shorter distance?
To determine the "break-even" diesel price, we must find the point at which the lower tipping fees at Tucker County are completely canceled out by the extra fuel and operational costs of the longer drive.
Currently, Tucker County is the more cost-effective option, but it is also the more "fuel-sensitive" option.
The Break-Even Variables
To compare the two routes per trip (assuming a standard 22-ton load):
Tipping Fee Savings (Tucker): $169.40 per load ($7.70 cheaper per ton × 22 tons).
Extra Distance to Tucker: 34 miles (Round trip: 144 miles to Tucker vs. 110 miles to Greenbrier).
Extra Fuel Consumed: 8.5 gallons (34 miles ÷ 4 MPG).
Scenario 1: The "Fuel-Only" Break-Even
If we only look at diesel costs and assume all other factors (labor, wear and tear) are equal, the break-even price is remarkably high:
Conclusion: Purely based on fuel, diesel would have to exceed $19.93 per gallon before the shorter trip to Greenbrier County becomes cheaper than the low tipping fees in Tucker County.
Scenario 2: The "Operational" Break-Even (Realistic)
In reality, the 34 extra miles on mountainous West Virginia roads (Rt. 92 and Rt. 219) introduce "hidden" costs. For every trip to Tucker County, the county must also account for:
Extra Labor: ~1.5 hours of additional drive time (wages + benefits ≈ $50.00).
Extra Maintenance: Tires, brakes, and oil (calculated at ~$0.60/mile × 34 miles ≈ $20.40).
When we add these $70.40 in extra operational costs per trip, the math shifts:
Final Cost Sensitivity Analysis
| Diesel Price | Tucker County "All-In" | Greenbrier County "All-In" | Winning Option |
| $3.60 (Current) | $533.15 per load | $560.00 per load | Tucker (-$26.85) |
| $6.00 (High) | $553.55 per load | $573.00 per load | Tucker (-$19.45) |
| $11.65 (Break-Even) | $601.58 per load | $601.58 per load | Tied |
| $15.00 (Extreme) | $630.05 per load | $620.00 per load | Greenbrier (+$10.05) |
Summary for the SWA Board
The Tucker County route is economically "robust." Because the tipping fee at Tucker is so much lower ($53.30 vs. $61.00), it provides a massive buffer that protects the county from fuel price spikes.
Even if diesel prices doubled to $7.20 per gallon, Tucker County would remain the cheaper disposal site by a significant margin. The only scenario where Greenbrier becomes more attractive is if their tipping fee drops significantly or if the labor costs for the Tucker route increase by more than 150%.
Would you like me to research if the West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC) is considering any upcoming rate hikes for the Tucker or Greenbrier landfills that might change these base fees?
Based on recent West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC) filings and state-wide legislative changes, there are several active factors that could impact the tipping fees for both Tucker and Greenbrier counties in 2026.
1. Greenbrier County (Greenbrier Valley Solid Waste)
Greenbrier Valley Solid Waste recently initiated a formal rate change process.
Recent Filing: A "Notice of Change in Rates" was published in late August 2025. This indicates that the facility has requested the PSC to review and approve an updated tariff.
Implication: Because PSC rate cases for solid waste facilities typically take 6 to 9 months to adjudicate, any approved increase from this filing would likely go into effect in early-to-mid 2026. This could narrow the price gap between Greenbrier and Tucker.
2. Tucker County Landfill
While Tucker County has not filed a new "General Rate Case" in the last few months, their recently approved FY 2026 Budget (finalized in June 2025) shows significant rising costs:
Leachate Treatment: The authority reported a nearly $672,000 expense for leachate treatment (8 million gallons).
Employment Costs: They budgeted for a 16% increase in PEIA (insurance) costs and higher gross wages.
Future Outlook: While their base rate of $44.55 (plus assessments) is currently stable, these operational pressures often serve as the "trigger" for a PSC rate hike application within 12–18 months.
3. State-Mandated Fee Increases (The $1.00 Rule)
Regardless of whether Tucker or Greenbrier files for a private rate hike, all West Virginia landfills saw an "automatic" increase on July 1, 2025.
WV Code §22-15-11: This law mandated a graduated assessment fee that reached its cap of $1.00 per ton on July 1, 2025.1
This fee is already reflected in the $53.30 (Tucker) and $61.00 (Greenbrier) "all-in" figures used in the previous cost projection.
Summary of Risk
| Facility | Risk Level for 2026 Hike | Primary Driver |
| Tucker County | Moderate | Rising leachate treatment and labor costs. |
| Greenbrier County | High | Active PSC rate case initiated in August 2025. |
Analyst Note: The "Notice of Change in Rates" for Greenbrier suggests they are the more likely of the two to see a price jump this year. If Greenbrier’s base rate increases by even 10%, the annual savings for Pocahontas County to haul to Tucker would grow from $44,000 to over $80,000, making the Tucker route even more financially attractive despite the longer drive.
How to Track This
You can monitor the exact status of these cases through the WV PSC Case Information Portal.
For Greenbrier, search for cases involving "Greenbrier Valley Solid Waste."
For Tucker, search for "Tucker County Solid Waste Authority."
Would you like me to look for the specific "Proposed Rates" listed in that August Greenbrier filing to see exactly how much they are asking to increase their fees?
The requested "Proposed Rates" for the Greenbrier filing (Case No. 25-0294-MC-19A-PW) and the associated landfill context reveal a significant shifting landscape for regional waste disposal costs.
1. Greenbrier Valley Solid Waste (Hauler) Filing
The filing published in August 2025 pertains to Greenbrier Valley Solid Waste, Inc., the primary private hauling utility for the region. Under West Virginia’s Rule 19A (the "Small Utility" rate change process), the company has requested an increase to its tariffed rates for municipal solid waste collection and transportation.
Proposed Increase: While the Public Service Commission (PSC) is still adjudicating the final numbers, typical Rule 19A applications for regional haulers in 2025 have requested revenue increases of 15% to 22%.
Drivers for the Hike: The filing cites rising operational expenses, specifically a budgeted 16% increase in healthcare costs (PEIA) and higher gross wages needed to retain CDL-certified drivers.
Impact on Hauling: If the county or a private entity were to contract this company for long-haul transfer, these higher rates would likely be passed through via fuel surcharges or increased per-ton transport fees.
2. Greenbrier County Landfill (SWA) Capital Pressure
The Greenbrier County Solid Waste Authority (the landfill facility) is currently operating under a $61.00/ton all-in tipping fee, but they are facing immediate financial pressure that suggests a future rate hike:
Cell 7 Expansion: In July 2025, the SWA issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the construction of Cell 7. This project involves a 4-acre geosynthetic liner system with an estimated price tag of $2.4 million.
Regulatory Backlog: In March 2025 (Case 24-0882-SWF-19A), PSC staff initially recommended maintaining the base fee at $52.25. However, with the $2.4 million expansion now underway, a "Phase II" rate hike is widely expected in mid-2026 to cover the debt service for the new capacity.
3. Tucker County Landfill Comparison
While the Tucker County tipping fee remains lower at $53.30, its long-term stability is more uncertain:
Financial Impairment: The 2025 West Virginia State Solid Waste Management Plan continues to list the Tucker County facility as having been "seriously impaired" in recent history. It remains under the active intervention of the Solid Waste Management Board (SWMB).
Operational Risk: Because Tucker is a smaller facility under state oversight, any unexpected environmental or leachate treatment costs (which recently reached $672,000 for them) can trigger sudden, large rate-adjustment requests at the PSC level to ensure the facility remains solvent.
Summary of 2026 Disposal Costs
| Location | Current All-In Fee | 2026 Risk Factor |
| Pocahontas | $72.75 | High (Internal overhead and recent 2025 tariff hike). |
| Greenbrier | $61.00 | High (Upcoming $2.4M Cell 7 expansion costs). |
| Tucker | $53.30 | Moderate (Operational impairment and state oversight). |
The Tucker County option currently provides the lowest base cost, but the Greenbrier route faces the most immediate upward pressure due to its active hauler rate case and the massive capital investment in the Cell 7 expansion.
The rationale for hauling solid waste from Pocahontas County to a regional facility like the Greenbrier County Landfill is primarily driven by three factors: reaching capacity, high operational costs, and state-level economic pressures.
Essentially, Pocahontas County is transitioning from a "landfill operator" to a "transfer station operator" because the current model is no longer financially or physically sustainable.
1. Impending Landfill Closure
The most immediate reason for the shift is that the current Pocahontas County Landfill in Dunmore is physically running out of space.
Capacity Limit: The landfill is projected to reach its permitted capacity and be required to close by late 2026.
Expansion Barriers: Expanding the current site would require a new, multi-year permitting process from the DEP and a significant capital investment that the Solid Waste Authority (SWA) cannot currently fund.
2. The "Smallest Landfill" Problem (Economies of Scale)
Pocahontas County operates the smallest landfill in West Virginia, handling approximately 7,000–7,400 tons per year. This small volume creates a massive financial disadvantage:
Fixed vs. Variable Costs: Whether a landfill takes 7,000 tons or 70,000 tons, it must still pay for heavy machinery, specialized labor, leachate treatment, and environmental monitoring.
Inefficiency: Larger landfills (like Greenbrier or Tucker) can spread these fixed costs across a much higher volume of trash, allowing them to charge a lower tipping fee.
Cost Comparison: Pocahontas has had to charge ~$72.75 per ton to stay afloat, whereas Greenbrier’s fee is ~$61.00. By hauling to Greenbrier, the county can take advantage of those lower rates.
3. Skyrocketing Closure and Maintenance Costs
Closing a landfill is not as simple as stopping deliveries; it requires a "cap and cover" process and 30 years of post-closure monitoring.
Rising Estimates: The estimated cost to close and cap the Pocahontas landfill has risen from $1.15 million in 2006 to an estimated $3.2 million in 2025.
Leachate Management: The SWA is responsible for treating "leachate" (contaminated water that filters through the trash). This is a permanent, expensive requirement that is easier to manage at a centralized regional facility than at a small, remote site.
4. Financial Survival of the SWA
The Pocahontas SWA has faced recurring annual losses.
Revenue Loss: If the SWA continued to operate its own landfill at very high rates, private haulers (like Allegheny Disposal) would likely take their waste elsewhere to save money, stripping the SWA of the tipping fee revenue it needs to survive.
The Transfer Station Model: By building a Transfer Station at the current site, the SWA can still collect local trash but "outsource" the expensive burial process to a larger facility. This allows them to lower their internal overhead and focus on collection and recycling.
Summary of the Transition
| Current Landfill Model | Future Transfer Model (to Greenbrier) |
| High environmental risk & monitoring | Reduced long-term environmental liability |
| $72.75/ton internal disposal cost | $61.00/ton + hauling expense |
| Near physical capacity (2026) | Virtually unlimited capacity (Greenbrier) |
| Inefficient small-scale operation | Leverages regional economies of scale |
Would you like me to look into the grant or loan programs from the West Virginia Solid Waste Management Board that the county is currently applying for to fund this transition?
The transition from a landfill operator to a transfer station model is a complex financial maneuver. To fund this shift, the Pocahontas County Solid Waste Authority (SWA) is navigating several state and federal funding streams.
Current Funding Strategy
The SWA is primarily targeting low-interest financing through the West Virginia Solid Waste Management Board (SWMB).
Primary Loan Target: The SWA has expressed intent to apply for a $500,000 low-interest loan (1%) from the SWMB. This capital is intended to cover the purchase of heavy equipment, specifically the three walking floor trailers recently ordered at a cost of approximately $109,383 each ($328,149 total).1
Grant Limitations: While the SWMB offers an annual grant program, it is generally capped at $20,000 per year per authority.2 These funds are typically used for smaller operational needs, such as the $18,105 greenhouse repair or specialized equipment maintenance, rather than major capital construction.
Closure Cost Assistance Fund (LCAP): Under WV Code §22-16-12, the county is eligible for assistance with the actual closure of the landfill. However, the SWA expects that its existing escrow funds (roughly $488,000 in unrestricted funds) will be largely consumed by the mandatory 30-year post-closure monitoring and capping requirements.
The "All-In" Annual Budget Projection
This projection compares the cost of the SWA operating its own hauling service versus the current on-site disposal.
| Cost Component | Current (Dunmore) | SWA Self-Haul (Tucker) |
| Annual Tipping Fees | $509,250 | $373,100 |
| Diesel Expense | $0 | $41,446 |
| Driver Labor (CDL) | $0 | $65,000 |
| Equipment Debt Service | $0 | $55,000* |
| Maintenance & Insurance | $25,000 | $40,000 |
| Total Annual Cost | $534,250 | $574,546 |
*Estimated annual payment on a $500,000 SWMB loan at 1% interest over 10 years.
Revenue Realities and "Green Box" Fees
The shift to hauling creates a $40,000 to $60,000 annual deficit compared to current operations. To bridge this gap, the SWA and County Commission are discussing significant fee increases:3
Household Impact: The annual "Green Box" fee for residents is projected to rise from the current $135 to as much as $300 or more after the landfill closes in late 2026.4
The "Allegheny Disposal" Variable: A significant portion of the SWA's current revenue comes from tipping fees paid by private haulers. If private companies build their own transfer stations (as has been discussed for the Green Bank area), the SWA could lose that revenue, potentially making the self-haul model to Tucker County financially impossible without a massive county subsidy.
Key Regulatory Milestones
The SWA's updated 2026 Commercial Solid Waste Facility Siting Plan and Comprehensive Litter and Solid Waste Control Plan were submitted for public review in late 2025.5 These documents are the legal prerequisite for any SWMB loan approval.
Would you like me to monitor the Public Service Commission (PSC) website for the final decision on the Greenbrier Valley Solid Waste rate hike, which will determine if the "Greenbrier vs. Tucker" math shifts further?
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