New Jersey § 48:13a-7

§ 48:13a-7.

The Legislature finds and declares that efficient and reasonable solid waste disposal

services at competitive rates will more likely be achieved if the services of privately-owned

sanitary landfill facilities in this State are under the supervision of the Department

of Environmental Protection but not subject to traditional public utility economic

regulation. The Legislature further finds and declares that it is imperative that the State ensure

the economic viability and competitiveness of all solid waste disposal facilities

in this State whether publicly or privately owned in order to safeguard the integrity

of the State's solid waste management strategy; that it is equally imperative to

safeguard the interests of consumers in efficient sanitary landfill services at competitive

rates; that to achieve these ends and provide for consumer protection it is necessary

to foster competition and this can best be achieved by establishing a responsible

State supervisory role and abolishing traditional utility economic restrictions which

place New Jersey's commercial landfills at a competitive disadvantage and threaten

their economic viability in today's competitive market for solid waste disposal services. The Legislature further finds and declares that reforming traditional public utility

regulation with respect to privately-owned sanitary landfill facilities in the manner

hereinafter provided will not compromise the State's ability to supervise the solid

waste disposal services provided at such commercial facilities pursuant to P.L.1970,

c. 40 ( C.48:13A-1 et seq. ) or its ability to prevent persons with criminal backgrounds from engaging in the

business of solid waste disposal through implementation of the licensing system established

under P.L.1983, c. 392 ( C.13:1E-126 et seq. ) and P.L.1991, c. 269 ( C.13:1E-128.1 et al.). The Legislature therefore determines that it is in the public interest to provide

for the reform of this State's economic regulation of privately-owned sanitary landfill

facilities while at the same time maintaining State supervision over these commercial

facilities.