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Perhaps the legislative
issue (and the wisdom of the proposed regulations) is a bit complicated by the
fact that nearly all of the landfills in Michigan, although they provide an
essential service to all, are private businesses. Having private
initiative take the risks in developing and constructing landfills to MDEQ and
U.S. EPA standards is a uniquely American solution to solid waste
disposal. This solution provided disposal in accordance with current
standards at a time when most cities and counties were unable or unwilling to
venture into, or to continue, solid waste disposal. It is a fact that
Michigan moved very rapidly to construct landfills to the present standards
within just 2 - 3 years after their promulgation (1993). It is also true
that the private sector purchased many landfills operated by local government
and spent money to upgrade the existing units and construct expansions to the
new standards. I think it only fair that we should acknowledge that this
solution required very, very little political risk and virtually no money to
implement, and so was convenient to cities and counties.
And so our concerns about
the sources of solid waste reaching landfills in Michigan will be addressed by
many within the framework of established business law. It seems to me that
we are not discussing "Michigan landfills." Michigan doesn't own any
landfills. We are talking about landfills located in Michigan. There
are, therefore, some limits to regulation due to ownership and jurisdiction, and
it should not be implausible that there is a proper and healthy debate about
these issues due to quite different perspectives.
From: owner-enviro-mich@great-lakes.net [mailto:owner-enviro-mich@great-lakes.net] On Behalf Of Daniel Farough Sent: Monday, October 31, 2005 3:31 PM To: enviro-mich@great-lakes.net Subject: E-M:/ The Dumping Game Enviro-Mich,
To Play the GOP Dumping Game please go to: www.Trash-O-Meter.com.
Halloween Horror: House
Dems Unmask GOP Trash Trick On eve of Nov. 1 deadline,
Democrats blast Republican delay tactics as a treat for garbage
lobby
"Halloween only lasts a day, but the Republicans' trash trick is a horror
story with no end in sight for
A "Canadian" trash truck and the Trash-O-Meter appeared with the
Democrats at stops across
After months of intense public pressure and calls for action from House
Democrats, Republicans finally announced a so-called "plan" on Canadian trash.
But their plan kicks in only if Congress lets
Today, House Democrats renewed their challenge to Republicans: If Congress does not approve federal anti-trash legislation by Tuesday, Nov. 1, then Republicans must pass the Democrats' anti-trash bills, which include raising the dumping charge to $7.50 a ton.
"Republicans are trying to trick
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