Management of municipal solid waste has traditionally been the responsibility of local governments, within the guidelines established by the federal and state government for protection of human health and the environment. Current guidelines for construction of landfills have driven the cost of these facilities beyond the ability of many communities to pay for them. The closing of old landfills and movement towards large, modern, regional landfills provides increased protection of our groundwater, and other natural resources.
Florida faces many challenges to responsible management of municipal solid waste. Our vulnerable groundwater and sensitive wetlands restrict the number of suitable locations for landfills, especially in the most densely populated and fastest growing areas ofthe state. Many communities have turned to incineration of waste as an alternative to landfills, and they are struggling with questions of how to finance those facilities. Because of our geography, export of waste to other states is not as attractive to Florida as it is to some other parts of the country, so we are attempting to deal with our waste within the state.
I appreciate the concern that many communities have expressed about accepting large volumes of waste from outside their local area. I also appreciate the need of the private sector for a stable and predictable regulatory environment on which to base their investment decisions. I also believe in the power ofthe free market to provide the most cost effective services to consumers. I look forward to hearing the viewpoints of our witnesses today, and working with my colleagues to develop an acceptable approach to regulation of municipal solid waste.