LANSING – Genesee County Democrats are renewing their fight against Canadian and out-of-state trash, saying Michigan must act now and should not have to wait for Washington to step in, under a new Republican-pushed law.
"Michigan's families have paid the price because of Canadian and out-of-state trash, and they deserve to get relief now," said Rep. John J. Gleason (D-Flushing), whose district includes the Brent Run landfill. "Out-of-state and Canadian trash is a threat to our quality of life and Genesee County families shouldn't have to wait for Congress."
Gov. Jennifer Granholm on Monday signed into law a Republican so-called plan that lets Michigan stop Canadian trash only if Congress gives Michigan such authority – something that has never happened. The Republican plan also targets only Canadian and not out-of-state trash. To date, neither the U.S. House nor Senate has acted on federal anti-trash legislation. The Michigan Republicans' refusal to act at the state level also allowed a ban on new landfills to lapse on Dec. 31, 2005, meaning landfill operations can expand again in Michigan. So far, at least two landfill operations have asked to expand.
"We need every weapon – at the state and federal levels – to fight trash, which is why it's important we take action in Lansing now," said Rep. Lee Gonzales (D-Flint Township). "Trash comes to Genesee County because it's cheap to dump in our state. We must hit garbage companies in their wallets to put the brakes on trash trucks from outside Michigan."
Echoing the Governor's longstanding concerns, Genesee County Democrats said the Republican-sponsored plan passes the buck to Washington, forcing Michigan families to wait for relief – if it comes at all.
"The solution to our trash problems is to end the garbage companies' free ride, not pass the buck to Washington and cross our fingers," said Rep. Brenda Clack (D-Flint). "If Republicans are serious about fighting imported garbage, then we must attack the economics of the trash trade."
Rep. Paula Zelenko (D-Burton) said: "The Republican strategy of delay helps the garbage industry and keeps the trash trucks rumbling over our roads and through our communities. The Republicans should be standing up for Genesee County families, not the trash lobby."
House Democrats have been fighting for a year to raise the state's dumping charge from 21cents a ton – the region's lowest – to $7.50 a ton and banning new landfills until 2011.
Michigan took in 6.2 million tons of Canadian and out-of-state trash in 2005, 100,000 tons more than in 2004, the Department of Environmental Quality said in a February report. Genesee County got 115,590 tons more Canadian and out-of-state trash in 2005, compared with 2004, the DEQ says.
More than 400 trash trucks rumble into Michigan from Canada each day. Michigan also began taking garbage from Maryland and Florida in 2005.