WVEC Action Alert

February 29, 2008

ACTION ALERT! – SB 770

(This bill is the Solid Waste Assessment Fee Reduction / Out of state Garbage Incentive) – Relating to the McDowell County Landfill).

A PUBLIC HEARING is scheduled through House Finance committee for Monday (March 3).

This is a BAD BILL – We are asking our legislative representatives to vote against / oppose SB 770.

Date:       Monday, March 3, 2008
Place:      House Chambers
Time:      9:30 AM

Details:  If you can attend, please come in to the capitol by 9:00 AM.  This is particularly important if you wish to speak.

If you cannot attend, please take time to call, e-mail / write to House Finance Chair Harry Keith White - and any or all of the House Finance Committee members (contact information listed below).

We seem to have strong support against this bill in House Finance, however let those opposing the bill know you appreciate them opposing SB 770, and encourage members to stay firm.  Any opposing SB 770 need to be encouraged to do the right thing – do not vote this bill out of committee.

Listed below is our most recent FACT SHEET with reasons this is a bad bill.

Fact Sheet for:        Senate Bill 770 – Solid Waste Assessment Fee Reduction / Out of State Garbage Incentive - (as of Feb. 28, 2008)

By John Christensen, WVEC lobbyist

Don’t Pass This Bad Bill!

• Reduced tipping fees are an incentive to bring in more out of state garbage, and ultimately, make a mega-dump out of the McDowell County landfill.

• Once the tonnage threshold is reached during a three consecutive month period, the reduction in tipping fees kicks in.  It will primarily benefit one private landfill operator, waste haulers, some municipalities and the McDowell county budget. 

• The tipping fees will remain at the reduced rate even if state-wide garbage collection decreases sometime in the future.

• The only incentive contained in this bill is to produce more garbage.  The bill is a disincentive to West Virginia’s recycling efforts.

• Hangs an “open for garbage” sign at West Virginia’s borders, inviting out-of-state waste from NY, NJ, and Philadelphia sources.

• Will generate thousands of trainloads of plastic-cubed garbage that will traverse through small towns in the heat of the spring, summer and fall, a smelly proposition at best.  Imagine coal-laden cars leaving West Virginia, only to return, filled with out of state trash.

• This bill was put on a fast track – introduced on the last day for introduction of bills – just hours after a committee substitute was created to problem solve.  No prior notice was given to the environmental community / environmental experts.

• Several county solid waste authorities have gone on record opposing this legislation.  It does nothing to reduce fees for commercial entities, schools, churches, industry, residents of townhouses, apartment buildings, government bodies, citizens and businesses served by municipalities or any state parks.

• Senator Truman Chafin was quoted in the Bluefield newspaper as saying he WILL come back to the legislature and ask to lift the cap on the McDowell County landfill if this passes.  This bill represents a “foot in the door” for special interests to come in and ask for more favors in the future.

• The reduced revenues hurt county solid waste recycling programs statewide, LCAP programs that ensure proper closure and monitoring of old landfills, solid waste management board funding, and even money for DNR conservation officers.

• This is the ultimate Anti “Bottle Bill”.  A bottle bill would reduce tonnage and save valuable landfill space for future use.

www.wvecouncil.org           (304) 414-0143

Here is the list of House Finance Committee Members.  Those with an * beside their name are those not as yet opposed to this bill.  Please ask them to oppose SB 770 for all of the above reasons. 

The other members can be thanked for opposing SB 770, or encouraged to do so.  Note: you can call the capitol switchboard toll free at 1-877-565-3447, or use the direct number below if you prefer.