Weekly News Bulletin: Jan. 8-14, 2007

 

Supreme Court Hears 'Flow Control' Case

The Supreme Court heard oral argument in United Haulers Association v. Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Management Authority, 05-1345. At issue is whether counties can require private haulers to use publicly owned transfer stations. The outcome of the case could hinge on whether the justices view trash disposal as a government responsibility or a service that could just as well be provided by competing private businesses...Read More »

 

 

NSWMA Pleased By Supreme Court Hearing in Flow Control Case

The NSWMA's General Counsel, David Biderman is pleased by oral argument before the US Supreme Court in United Haulers Assoc. Inc. v. Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Management Authority, regarding whether a flow control law favoring a publicly-owned waste facility should be held to a lower standard of review than a private facility in determining if the Commerce Clause has been violated. Biderman commented that several Justices were openly hostile to the waste authority's argument that its laws establishing a local waste monopoly do not violate the Commerce Clause. He urges local governments considering flow control laws to hold off on legislative action until the Court issues a decision...Read More »

 

 

Waste Connections Acquires Operations from Waste Management

Waste Connections, Inc. (NYSE: WCN) announced that it has completed the acquisition of certain operations in the Southeast from a subsidiary of Waste Management, Inc. The operations acquired provide collection, transfer and disposal services in Eastern Kentucky with total revenue of about $22 million...Read More »

 

 

Veolia Environmental Appoints New President of Solid Waste

Veolia Environmental Services North America Corp. appointed Richard Burke, the previous Vice President of the Eastern Region of Veolia ES Solid Waste, Inc., as President and COO of Veolia ES Solid Waste, Inc. effective January 1, 2007. He replaces Paul Jenks, who retired at the end of 2006. Burke stated his desire to drive strategic growth of the solid waste division by expanding the company's North American presence...Read More »

 

 

Moody's Reports Stable Outlook for the Waste-to-Energy Industry

Moody's stable outlook for municipal bonds issued for waste-to-energy (WTE) facilities in 2007 is supported by WTE facilities' efficiency and the fact that most facilities are located in densely populated areas...Read More »

 

 

Allied Waste Amends Shareholder Agreement

Allied Waste Industries (NYSE: AW) amended its shareholder agreement to allow two of its major investors to sell shares to third parties who may then own up to 15 percent rather than 9 percent, the previous limitation. The amendment affects Apollo Advisors which holds 8.9 percent of Allied's outstanding shares, down from the 17.9 percent it held before it sold 33 million shares in November, and Blackstone Capital which owns 13.1 percent. The change aims to increase the pool of potential buyers for the investors' shares...Read More »

 

 

Waste Industries USA Makes Two Acquisitions Worth $4.5 Million

Waste Industries USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: WWIN) has made two acquisitions that are expected to contribute $4.5 million in annual revenues. The first, Jimmy Tibbitts Enterprises, LLC, of Dallas GA, builds upon the company's expansion into west Atlanta markets by adding roll-off revenues and a transfer station operation. The second, Double Springs Sanitation, Inc. of Greenville County, SC adds residential customers to existing collection routes. Jim Perry, the CEO, reaffirmed the company's desire to improve route density and better utilize its landfills...Read More »

 

 

WCA Waste Corp. Makes Acquisitions in Florida and Missouri worth $4.2 Million

WCA Waste Corporation (Nasdaq: WCAA) has made two "tuck-in" acquisitions worth about $4.2 million in annual revenue. The first, Southwest Dumpster, Inc. of Ft. Myers, FL adds collection business to a market where WCA already owns a transfer station. The second, Sunrise Disposal of Springfield, MO adds 7,300 new customers ($1.3 million in revenues) and helps the company better utilize its Black Oak Landfill there...Read More »

 

 

Waste Services' Acquisition of Allied's Florida Operations Cleared by the Justice Department

Waste Services Inc., a Canada-based solid waste management company, said that its previously announced acquisition of Allied Waste's South Florida operations has been cleared by the U.S. Department of Justice. Under a deal signed in July, Waste Services agreed to pay $61 million in cash for Allied Waste's collection company, transfer station and recovery facility located in Miami-Dade County. In return, Waste Services agreed to sell its Arizona operations to Allied Waste for $53 million...Read More »

 

 

EPA Rules Out Wood Preservative ACC for Residential Use

The US EPA's scientific review process concluded that the risks associated with residential uses of ACC (acid copper chromate) outweigh the minimal benefits. The proposed residential uses of ACC would pose a cancer risk to treatment and manufacturing workers, as well as non-cancer risks to homeowners, children and contractors. In addition, disposal of the ACC-treated wood could require that it be handled and disposed of as a hazardous waste since the wood may contain high levels of chromium. ACC contains hexavalent chromium, a known carcinogen when inhaled and a dermal irritant and sensitizer...Read More »

 

 

Blue Wolf Capital Acquires Montauk Energy Capital, LLC

Blue Wolf Capital Management LLC, the New York-based private equity firm, has acquired Montauk Energy Capital from DQE Financial Corp., a subsidiary of Duquesne Light Holdings, Inc. for $101.8 million. Johnnic Holdings (Pty) Ltd., a subsidiary of Hosken Consolidated Investments Limited, is the lead investor in Blue Wolf. John Schmitt, formerly president at Montauk, will serve as CEO, and Montauk's existing management team will remain with the company...Read More »

 

Sign up to receive our free Weekly News Bulletin