WASTE MANAGEMENT

Pennsylvania's Nemesis

Pennsylvania is the largest out-of-state importer of waste in the United States. Waste Management (WMI) owns the largest private landfill in the United States. It's GROWS landfill is in Pennsylvania and imported 13% of Pennsylvania's total imports (4.3 million tons) between 1989 and 1995. During these years WMI imported even more, 4.9 million tons, to its other Bucks County landfill, Tullytown Actually, WMI's largest importing went to its Empire/Alliance landfill in Lackwanna County, 6 million tons. In sum, WMI 's three landfills imported the largest amounts of any other Pennsylvania landfills, 47% of total imports! New York and then New Jersey are the largest importers to Pennsylvania.

In 1994 the Sierra Club, the Delaware Riverkeeper, ECOCorp, and B-Pure sued WMI to close it because it has failed to "appropriately monitor, assess, and abate groundwater contamination underlying the facility."The same groups also testified in opposition to the Tullytown expansion proposal which is only one mile from GROWS landfill. They have failed to close GROWS but they did receive a voluntary agreement from WMI that they would not solicit New York City business for GROWS or Tullytown.

Pennsylvania state government has done more than any other state to gain new Federal legislation to allow states and local governments to control interstate commerce. They have failed to gain congressional legislation but have gained the support of many other states. No such legislation is expected as long as Republicans control the Congress.

The WMI corporate charter (Delaware) has also been challenged by a Pennsylvania community law firm. Their current case is against the state attorney general for failing to revoke the WMI corporate charter in Pennsylvania.

With two of the three permanent New York transfer stations planned for New Jersey, Pennsylvania can expect an increase of New York imports, although probably not as much as Virginia which is rapidly challenging Pennsylvania as the largest importing state of waste!

dated: November 1, 1999

Return to Home Page / Debate Page

Make a Public Comment or read them or send us some e-mail