SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY APPLAUDS OBAMA ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT CHOICES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2008
Contact: Thom Metzger, 202-506-0511

(Washington, DC) – A spokesman for the nation’s waste management industry today welcomed President-elect Obama’s nominees to lead the federal energy and environmental agencies.

“Like most of Mr. Obama’s other nominees, the people chosen to head these important agencies have extensive knowledge and experience of the challenges this country faces, and we look forward to working closely with them,” said Bruce Parker, president and chief executive of the National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA).
“The solid waste management industry deals every day with the most practical aspects of solving this country’s environmental and energy issues, and we are delighted with the President-elect’s emphasis on pragmatic solutions,” he said.

“We especially look forward to working with the new team on achieving the huge potential benefits from increased recycling and greatly expanding the development of clean, renewable energy from landfill gas,” said Parker.

He noted that the solid waste industry is the largest collector and processor of recyclable materials in the nation, and has invested millions of dollars in waste-based-energy technology during the last 10 years.

Parker also noted that the NSWMA works with EPA on solid waste issues, including submitting comments on proposed regulations.

“We have great confidence in the selection of Lisa Jackson to EPA Administrator, and we look forward to working with her to achieve our nation’s environmental goals,” Parker said.

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NSWMA represents for-profit companies in North America that provide solid, hazardous and medical waste collection, recycling and disposal services, and companies that provide professional and consulting services to the waste services industry.