Here are some applicable points from that article:
Now, however, the company (Waste Management) has decided it would be cheaper to ship all the garbage to Virginia by barge, spokesman Christine Meket said. Waste Management recently signed a contract with McAllister Towing and Transportation Inc. of New York to deliver that waste.
Barge transportation is an attractive option for Waste Management because it is cheaper and, the company argues, safer than hauling trash by truck or train.
In Richmond (Virginia), the assembly's struggle over trash importing intensified yesterday as lawmakers put the finishing touches on a set of landfill regulations that do not include the toughest measures sought by Sharp and other advocates. The package has no ban on garbage barges or firm caps on how much waste can be disposed of in state landfills.
The movement of trash across state lines is protected by the Constitution, according to a series of federal court rulings, preventing Virginia from banning the shipments.
This has nothing to do with NYCH, yet. If Virginia can make it too expensive to barge into their waters, then the trash might go further south or inland by RAIL (can you believe Texas?). A NYC owned truck to barge trash loading facility exists just south of the NYCH float bridge. I believe this trash goes to Fresh Kills. The Waste Management facility, perhaps near Coney Island, might be located with a Dogpile search. I will look for it.
Waste Management's sealed containers would go out by the cheapest route to an alternative destination if Virginia closed down. Barging is cheap, maybe even to Texas. Trash is not high or wide, and trash is not in a hurry. Don't count on trash to fund the NYRR.
246810 |
