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Renewable Sonoma ends negotiations for organics processing facility with Zero Waste Sonoma

Renewable Sonoma, the company selected by Zero Waste Sonoma (ZWS) for the proposed development of an organics processing and compost facility, terminated negotiations with ZWS and with the City of Santa Rosa for the siting of the project on city-owned property located adjacent to the City’s Laguna Treatment Plant. Despite diligently pursuing many options, Renewable Sonoma was unable to secure sufficient investment financing to move the project forward during these challenging times. ZWS staff will meet with the ZWS Board of Directors’ Organics Processing Negotiations Ad Hoc Committee to discuss next steps and potential alternatives. Staff will return to the full ZWS Board in the near future to discuss options for long-term processing of organics materials collected from residents and commercial establishments.

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On May 31, 2017, ZWS issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for organic materials processing services. ZWS received 12 proposals by the due date of January 16, 2018, and ZWS staff and consultants conducted a comprehensive review of the proposals received. After that review, ZWS staff recommended to the Board that ZWS enter into negotiations with Renewable Sonoma to develop a new organics processing facility in Sonoma County. On August 15, 2018, the ZWS Board directed ZWS staff to enter into exclusive negotiations with Renewable Sonoma to negotiate an agreement. During negotiations, ZWS and Renewable Sonoma focused on siting the new organics processing facility on property owned by the City of Santa Rosa, adjacent to the City’s Laguna Treatment Plant. Renewable Sonoma simultaneously entered negotiations with the City of Santa Rosa for the lease of the property. Due to the inability to secure financing to proceed with the project, Renewable Sonoma terminated negotiations with both ZWS and the City of Santa Rosa on May 4th, 2021.