STATEMENT BY SENATOR WARNER HEARING ON THE TRANSPORTATION OF INTERSTATE WASTE MARCH 20, 2002

Mr. Chairman, I want to thank you for scheduling our hearing this morning. I join in welcoming our witnesses who will share their individual experiences with us.

The transport and disposal of waste across state lines is an issue that I have worked on for over ten years.

The problem has not gone away, and over time, has only worsened. States are charged, under Federal law, with the requirement to ensure that there is adequate, long-term capacity to dispose waste generated IN-STATE.

This critical planning cannot be fully formed by states unless they have the necessary authority to manage all municipal solid waste, regardless of where it originates.

The current practice of allowing each local government to decide to accept out-of-state waste in a piecemeal fashion does not allow for responsible solid waste planning. Neither does it promote sound environmental protection of our natural resources and open space.

One cannot deny that there are potential long-term consequences to our environment from these landfills, particularly our underground drinking water supplies grading off environmental damages for short-term financial gains is not acceptable.

It is time for the federal government to act to give states this modest authority. I pledge to continue working with this committee to move legislation forward.