New Jersey Solid Waste lawyers Tag Archives

Published on: March 26, 2019

NJDEP Effective Competition Analysis for A-901 Asset Transfer Approval

site-2293451__340-300x200 When a solid waste collection company enters into a contract to transfer ownership of assets, a petition for approval must be submitted the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Assets may not be transferred until this approval is obtained. One area which the NJDEP evaluates prior to issuing such an approval is the impact of the transfer upon effective competition. This is a very detailed analysis which can be time consuming.

The solid waste industry serves a dynamic market and the NJDEP must continually evaluate the market to ensure that there are multiple companies serving the customers in each market. The controlling case law is found in United States v. Philadephia Nation Bank, 374 U.S. 321 (1963), in which the United States Supreme Court held that any sale which results in one company controlling thirty percent or more of the market and results in a significant increase in the concentration of companies in that market creates a lessening of effective competition. When that is found it creates a presumption which is rebutted if it is shown that the sale is not likely to have such anti-competitive effects.

When the NJDEP performs an analysis of effective competition, it will only prohibit asset transfers if the transfer increases the company’s level of concentration in the market to an extent that could facilitate collusion among a small number of remaining competitors. The NJDEP considers the following factors to determine effective competition: 1) the size of the company compared to the other companies providing the same service in the markets affected by the transfer; 2) the percentage of customers in the affected markets which will be served by the company after the transfer; and 3) this Herfindahl- Hirschman Index (HHI) of market concentration.

Published on: March 8, 2017

Enforcing Judicial Consent Orders in Solid Waste and Recycling Cases

by Maurice W. McLaughlin

recycling-1341372__340-300x300 New Jersey heavily regulates the transportation and disposal of solid waste (garbage) and recycling. These activities are governed by New Jersey’s Solid Waste Management Act. It is also governed by regulations promulgated by New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection (known as the DEP). The Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey had the opportunity recently to review these matters in connection with the actions of a recycling company in Newark.

In the unpublished case of State, Department of Environmental Protection vs. T. Fiore Demolition Company, two companies (T. Fiore Recycling Corporation and T. Fiore Demolition Company, collectively referred to as “Fiore,” both corporations) obtained approval from the DEP to operate a class B recycling center and receive up to 1865 tons of Class B recyclables, and to store up to 30,314 cubic yards of it. Class B recyclables, also known as “construction and demolition” or “C&D” recyclables, include concrete, asphalt, cinder block, brick, wood, street sweepings, creosote wood and roofing shingles at a location in Newark which the court called Site A. Fiore’s business model was to be paid to take the recycling, and then to process and sell it for use in road and other construction projects. Next door to Site A was Site B, 26 acres Fiore leased form the Newark Housing Authority. Fiore did not have approval from the DEP for operations or storage on Site B, even though it was next door to Site A. As time went on, Fiore used Site B to store recyclables. At one point the pile of recyclables at Site B reached one hundred feet high.

This use prompted the DEP to visit the site, at which point it discovered the violations. The DEP issued a notice of violation, and litigation ensued. The DEP entered an administrative cease and desist order requiring Fiore to immediately cease accepting any materials on Site B, and to only accept one truckload at Site A for every three it removed from the combined sites. It was after this order that it was discovered that the stockpile had doubled in size to 100 feet.

Published on: December 8, 2016

Solid Waste Registration

by Maurice W. McLaughlin

hauler Businesses wishing to transport solid waste in New Jersey are required to strictly comply with the registration process governed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Our attorneys help solid waste haulers in complying with these requirements, and obtaining approval to haul solid waste in New Jersey.

This is a brief overview of the solid waste registration and application process with the NJDEP.

Is it “Solid Waste?”

Published on: December 6, 2016

Issues Faced by New Jersey Solid Waste Haulers

by Maurice W. McLaughlin

eighteen-wheeler-614201__340 The transportation and disposal of solid waste in New Jersey is a heavily regulated industry. The statutory and regulatory framework of New Jersey sold waste law is complex. Attorneys from our firm have significant experience counseling and representing solid waste companies in all aspects of their businesses.

This regulatory complexity starts at the beginning of a solid waste hauler’s lifecycle. A business or person who wants to get into the business of hauling solid waste must make an A-901 application to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protections, undergo a rigorous background investigation, and obtain a certificate of public convenience & necessity (CPCN). The operation of the business is also governed by a complex regulatory scheme, including the registration of vehicles, the types of waste which can be handled, and what can be done with it.

And, of course, a solid waste hauler is a business just like any other business. It will have the multitude of issues any business has. It will have disputes with its customers. It will have labor and employment problems. Competitors will try to take its business. The owners will have disputes between themselves. It will need to collect delinquent bills.

Published on: July 12, 2016

Solid Waste Transportation Compliance & Consulting

by Pauline M.K. Young

dump-truck-1396587__180
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“NJDEP”) regulates, monitors, and enforces a wide range of environmental protection and conservation laws throughout the State of New Jersey. The NJDEP is a cohesive government organization which is involved in various programs and areas of environmental protection including recycling, clean water, air quality and pollution, open spaces, wildlife protection, business regulations, waste transportation and disposal, and other environmental areas.

Waste transportation and disposal is one of the major areas which the NJDEP monitors with the important goals of: eliminating illegal dumping (and thus land and water pollution), eradicating criminal activity from the waste removal industry due to a historic connection between the industry and illegal conduct, and educating waste handlers of relevant rules and environmental impacts.

To achieve these goals, the New Jersey State Legislature and the NJDEP have enacted numerous laws, rules, regulations, and reporting requirements for waste transporters. To start, most waste transporters are required to obtain a New Jersey A-901 license. The process for obtaining an A-901 license is not a quick or easy one. Before ever engaging in any waste transportation, the business must provide a great deal of information to the NJDEP, including the source of funding for the business, business locations, lease and lessor information, identification of owners and key employees, etc. On top of that each key employee, owner, partner, officer, director, and managing member must complete a disclosure form which requires a great deal of specific and detailed information such as information regarding family members, employment history, and other personal details. Moreover, each of these people need to be fingerprinted and have background checks conducted.