March 13, 2006

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has signed legislation that would ban Canadian and other out-of-country waste if Congress acts to give states such power.  The prohibition, however, does not take effect until the federal government gives Michigan the authority to take such action.
 
“I am pleased to sign legislation that will ban the importation of Canadian and other out-of-country trash when we are given the authority to do so,” said Granholm.  “But Michigan cannot sit back and wait on Congress.  There is action we can, and should, take to protect Michigan families from the health hazards created by imported trash.”
 
Granholm and legislative Democrats have advocated for a series of measures that would limit the importation of out-of-state trash and improve the safety of waste being hauled into Michigan.   In 2004, the Governor signed a package of bills requiring out-of-state waste to meet the same safety standards as in-state waste.  In addition, Democratic leaders have called for reinstitution of the ban on new landfills that was allowed to expire at the end of 2005 and for an increase in the dumping charge.  Michigan currently charges just $0.21 per ton, the lowest rate in the region.

“Senator Stabenow and Senator Levin, together with members of our U.S. House delegation, are fighting hard for us on this issue in Congress, but leadership in Washington has failed to act,” said Granholm.  “Until they do, limiting the amount of landfill space and making it less cost effective to ship trash into Michigan are some common sense steps we can take.”
 
The legislative package signed by Granholm on Friday includes: House Bill 5176 (Public Act 57), sponsored by Representative Daniel Acciavatti (R-Chesterfield Township); House Bill 5177 (Public Act 58), sponsored by Representative Phil Pavlov (R-St. Clair Township); and House Bill 5178 (Public Act 59), sponsored by Representative Dave Palsrok (R-Manistee).  The bills will take effect 90 days after Congress enacts legislation authorizing the regulation.
 
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