Report: Disposal fees in solid waste rising

AUGUSTA – Competition in the state’s solid waste industry is eroding and disposal fees are rising, according to a report by the office of Maine Attorney General Steven Rowe.

The report, written by University of Maine economist Ralph Townsend and Assistant Attorney General Francis Ackerman, found that several factors hamper competition, including significant consolidation over the last 15 years. Other factors include a state ban on new commercial landfills, the use of self-renewing contracts and insufficient out-of-state competition, the report said.

The report makes several recommendations, including restricting self-renewing contracts and expanding data collection and market monitoring by the State Planning Office. It also recommends requiring that office to propose corrective action in some cases.