Public Notice – December 31, 2012
In June 2012, the Canadian Pacific Railway (“CPR”) Transload America facility (a.k.a. “TLA”) located at 91A Bay Avenue, Newark, New Jersey ceased accepting or processing for disposal Solid Waste Types 13, 13C, 23 and 27 generated within Union County.
The unexpected cessation of solid waste disposal services and closure of disposal facilities by Canadian Pacific and TLA compelled the Union County Utilities Authority (“UCUA”) to take immediate, interim action to make available to solid waste haulers in Union County appropriate solid waste facilities in order to preserve the public health, safety and welfare. The UCUA engaged in negotiations with the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (“NJMC”) as to the terms for an emergent interim agreement for the provision of disposal services for a period not exceeding 12-months commencing on or about June 21, 2012, at the rate of $52 per ton. Together with the UCUA’s current rate component of $29.12, the total tipping fee of $81.12 per ton represented a reduction of $14.73 per ton from the rate paid at the TLA facility.
The interim NJMC Agreement was the subject of a public hearing and formal Plan Amendment to the Union County District Solid Waste Management Plan (“County Plan”) in July 2012. The Plan Amendment was forwarded to and reviewed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“NJDEP”), who issued a Certification of the Plan Amendment on December 12, 2012, approving the following for inclusion in the County Plan:
- The NJMC Agreement for the disposal of non-recycled, Union County-generated solid waste types 13 (except automobiles, trucks, large vehicle parts, drums and appliances), 13C, 23 and 27.
- The NJMC Keegan Landfill, located in the Town of Kearny, Hudson County, as the facility to which all non-recycled, Union County-generated solid waste types 13 (except automobiles, trucks, large vehicle parts, drums and appliances), 13C, 23 and 27 are directed; and
- The direction of non-recycled, Union County-generated solid waste types 13 (except automobiles, trucks, large vehicle parts, drums and appliances), 13C, 23 and 27 to the NJMC Keegan Landfill for disposal pursuant to regulatory solid waste flow control.
The amendment to the County Plan will enable the UCUA to provide for the disposal of Solid Waste Types 13, 13C, 23 and 27 generated within Union County and to ensure regulatory flow control over these solid waste types on an interim basis while the Authority initiates the process of preparing for a public non-discriminatory procurement of long-term disposal services.
Please be advised that, pursuant to the Plan Amendment Certification issued by the NJDEP, the UCUA will vigorously enforce the County Plan’s solid waste flow control requirements. Any violations of the solid waste flow control requirements will result in significant monetary penalties to any hauler or facility diverting solid waste from the Union County system. Consistent with the requirements of the County Plan, solid waste collectors will continue to be permitted to bring such solid waste types to only materials recovery facilities included in the County Plan for recycling purposes in accordance with State policy.
If you have any questions or require additional information to help you ensure compliance with this directive or otherwise, please contact the UCUA at (732) 382-9400.
