SUN JOURNAL • February 18, 2026
After depleting its fund balance over the past few years, Maine Waste to Energy is assessing a $1 million charge on Auburn and other member towns using the facility, with Auburn bearing the bulk of that cost. The 40-year-old plant, which incinerates waste for Auburn and 11 surrounding towns, has fallen into some disrepair in recent years and maintenance is needed, according to City Manager Phillip Crowell Jr. The facility processes more than 72,000 tons of waste a year and uses the steam to capture 3.6 megawatts of electric power.