Solid Waste Interstate Transportation Act 2005 - Fall

This report analyzes the growing problem of interstate transportation of municipal solid waste (MSW) in the United States. As waste generation increases and landfill capacity near major urban centers declines, many states export large quantities of waste to distant landfills, creating environmental, economic, and political tensions between exporting and importing states. The project evaluates the proposed Solid Waste Interstate Transportation Act of 2005, which was introduced in response to these concerns. The legislation seeks to regulate interstate waste transport while balancing environmental protection, economic efficiency, and the constitutional limits on state authority over interstate commerce. The report examines the scientific, political, and economic factors shaping waste management policy, including landfill capacity, waste industry consolidation, and the environmental impacts of waste transportation and disposal.

Assuming the legislation is enacted, the project develops a detailed implementation plan for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The authors recommend establishing a Municipal Waste Interstate Transport Branch within the EPA Office of Solid Waste to administer the new law. The branch would be responsible for developing regulatory guidance, improving data collection on interstate waste shipments, supporting state compliance efforts, and resolving conflicts among states affected by waste transfers. The report also outlines a staffing structure, budget requirements, performance management system, and implementation timeline for the program’s first year. By strengthening federal oversight and improving coordination between states and federal agencies, the proposed program aims to manage interstate waste transportation more effectively while addressing environmental and public health concerns.

Learn more about the MPA-ESP Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management.