You asked for a description of the history of the Wallingford resources recovery facility. You specifically wanted to know the towns the facility serves, who operates it, and how its tipping fees compare to other Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority (CRRA) facilities.

The facility began commercial operations in May 1989 and currently serves Cheshire, Hamden, Meriden, North Haven, and Wallingford. The facility consists of a landfill and a 420-ton per day mass burn incinerator that converts solid waste into electricity, which is capable of producing 11 megawatts of power. Covanta (previously Ogden) of Wallingford operates the facility. Covanta took over for the facility's original developer, Vicon, Inc. , after it declared bankruptcy.

The facility's tipping fee has declined by 22% over the past five years. For most of FY 2001-02, the Wallingford facility has had the second lowest tipping fee among CRRA's facilities. It charges $ 56 dollars per ton, compared to rates of $ 57 to $ 66 for Preston, $ 61 for Bristol, and $ 67 for Bridgeport. Only the Mid-Connecticut facility had lower rates ($ 51 per ton). With the recently announced increase in Mid-Connecticut's rate, Wallingford will have the lowest tipping fee of the CRRA facilities. Additional information on CRRA's facilities is available on its Website, http: //www. crra. org/garbage. html.

KEM: eh