AUGUSTA (AP) – Maine’s landfills are approaching their design limits faster than predicted, but pending projects could ease the pressure as they approach their capacities, state environmental and solid waste officials said.

Commissioner Dawn Gallagher of the Department of Environmental Protection on Tuesday told members of a task force that’s reviewing the state’s solid waste issues that the landfills are approaching their capacities much more quickly than anticipated.

And George MacDonald, director of waste management and recycling for the State Planning Office, said that unless capacity is added, Maine will run out of room at its trash disposal facilities in 5 years.

Pending projects like the state-owned West Old Town Landfill and proposed expansion of a landfill in Lewiston could provide the state with additional years of disposal capacity, he said.

“The West Old Town Landfill is an important player,” MacDonald said after the meeting, adding that it would provide the state with an additional 12 to 14 years of disposal capacity.

The Old Town site has received DEP approval but opponents have asked the courts to reverse its decision.

The Pine Tree Landfill in Hampden, which accepts waste from within and outside of the state, has encountered opposition to its proposal to expand.

On Tuesday, voters in Biddeford and Saco will be asked if their respective cities should borrow as much as $10 million each for a possible buyout of the Maine Energy Recovery Co.’s trash-to-energy plant in Biddeford. MERC’s owner, Casella Waste Systems of Vermont, has agreed to sell the plant for $28 million if the payment is received in 2006.

MacDonald based his prediction that solid waste sites will be full in 5 1/2 years on factors that include current disposal rates, remaining space at already licensed landfills and waste-to-energy facilities, as well as the state’s recycling rate.

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