NSWMA Testifies on Problems with Unregulated Waste Management Facilities on Rail Properties

Date: May 22, 2006

Source: NSWMA

The National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA), a trade association representing for profit companies in North America that provide solid waste collection, recycling, and disposal services in all 50 states, has submitted comments before the U.S. House of Representatives' Subcommittee on Railroads examining serious problems associated with unregulated waste management facilities on railroad property.

"When waste is sorted, recyclables separated, and materials shredded, baled and otherwise processed or dumped on the ground and then picked-up and loaded into a container, they are "solid waste management facilities" that are strictly regulated at the state and local level," said Bruce Parker, President and CEO of NSWMA. "These same activities are taking place at railroad facilities, but are unregulated because of claims of exclusive jurisdiction under the federal Surface Transportation Board, which does not have a regulatory program in place."

"Unregulated waste processing facilities at railroads threaten the public health and the environment," said Steve Changaris, NSWMA's Northeast Regional Manager, who has been managing two broad and diverse coalitions opposing these sham waste management facilities, consisting of municipal and county governments, solid waste authorities, private sector waste companies, and trade associations, and are supported by state environmental authorities, attorneys general, political leaders, and others. "By excluding these railroad facilities from permitting, we undermine the public trust over proper waste management."

"NSWMA does not oppose the use of railroads to transport solid waste, only unregulated waste management facilities," said Parker. "In addition to the imminent public health and environmental danger from these facilities, allowing these railroad facilities to go unregulated creates an unfair and anticompetitive environment for legitimate solid waste management companies who pay the high cost of regulatory programs and often must wait three to four years, if not longer, to receive a permit."

For more information contact Steve Changaris (schangaris@nswma.org) or Bruce Parker (bparker@envasns.org) or visit www.nswma.org.

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