TFEK Briefing: Proposed Pike County Landfill, Rail Expansion, and AEP Dorton Transmission Line Project

 TFEK Briefing: Proposed Pike County Landfill, Rail Expansion, and AEP Dorton Transmission Line Project

1. Overview

Affiliates of Murphy Road Recycling (MRR), part of a larger New England waste conglomerate, have entered into an option agreement to acquire approximately 1,500 acres at the Premier Elkhorn Mine Complex in Pike County, Kentucky. The intent is to convert former coal surface mines into a large-scale, privately operated landfill designed to receive out-of-state waste via rail. This briefing integrates additional regional infrastructure developments, including the CSX/Norfolk Southern rail expansion and the AEP Dorton Transmission Line project.

2. Corporate Network Behind the Landfill Proposal

Murphy Road Recycling (MRR)

A Connecticut-based waste company specializing in construction and demolition debris, rail-linked waste transfer, and large-scale disposal operations.

USA Hauling & Recycling / USA Waste & Recycling

Part of the Antonacci family waste network, which includes:

Murphy Road Recycling

USA Hauling & Recycling

USA Waste & Recycling

All American Waste

Range Impact Inc.

A Cleveland-based land redevelopment firm that acquired the Premier Elkhorn and Cambrian Coal complexes and partners with waste companies to convert former coal sites into disposal hubs.

3. Landfill Development Status

MRR CNG, LLC signed an option agreement effective December 31, 2025, to acquire ~1,500 acres at Premier Elkhorn.

No landfill permit application has been filed with the Kentucky Division of Waste Management.

The project remains in the pre-permitting phase.

4. Regional Rail Expansion: CSX and Norfolk Southern

Strategic Importance

Pike County is positioned at a critical junction of CSX and Norfolk Southern rail corridors. Both railroads have ongoing or planned modernization efforts that increase freight capacity and improve connectivity across Central Appalachia.

Relevance to the Landfill Proposal

Rail modernization enhances the feasibility of waste-by-rail operations.

Expanded rail capacity could enable large-scale importation of out-of-state waste.

The landfill proposal aligns with national trends where rail-linked mega-landfills serve distant metropolitan markets.

TFEK Position on Rail Expansion

TFEK strongly supports rail modernization as a foundation for:

Manufacturing and logistics growth

Industrial recruitment

Energy transition industries

Mixed-use redevelopment at sites like Wolfpit Industrial Park

However, TFEK opposes using rail improvements to facilitate out-of-state waste importation.

5. AEP Dorton Transmission Line Project

Project Overview

American Electric Power (AEP) is advancing a major transmission upgrade known as the Dorton Transmission Line Project. This includes:

Rebuilding and strengthening aging transmission infrastructure

Improving grid reliability in Pike County and surrounding areas

Supporting future industrial and commercial development

Relevance to Regional Development

Enhanced electrical capacity is essential for manufacturing, data centers, and advanced logistics.

The project aligns with TFEK’s long-term vision for economic diversification.

Strengthened transmission infrastructure supports rail-adjacent industrial sites and mixed-use redevelopment.

Distinction from the Landfill Proposal

While the AEP project supports long-term economic growth, the proposed landfill does not. The landfill:

Offers minimal permanent job creation

Creates long-term environmental liabilities

Undermines Pike County’s ability to attract high-value industries

6. Waste-by-Rail: Implications for Pike County

The proposed landfill is designed to import waste from outside Kentucky. Key characteristics include:

High daily tonnage

Long-term operational lifespan (50–100 years)

Dependence on out-of-state waste streams

Significant environmental and groundwater risks

7. TFEK Position

TFEK supports infrastructure investments—rail expansion, transmission upgrades, and industrial modernization—that strengthen Pike County’s economic future. TFEK opposes projects that:

Import out-of-state waste

Exploit abandoned mine lands

Create long-term environmental liabilities

Undermine local waste systems

8. Recommended Questions for Officials

Has any company filed a Notice of Intent or permit application for a landfill at Premier Elkhorn?

How will rail expansion be protected from misuse as a waste importation corridor?

What due diligence has been conducted on MRR, USA Waste, or Range Impact?

How does the AEP Dorton project support industrial recruitment compared to landfill development?

What protections will be in place to prevent Pike County from becoming a regional waste import destination?

9. TFEK Recommendations

Require full public transparency before any permitting steps proceed.

Demand independent environmental and geotechnical assessments.

Ensure rail and transmission upgrades are leveraged for manufacturing, logistics, and clean industry—not waste importation.

Prioritize development that aligns with Pike County’s long-term community goals.