Local lawmakers are talking trash. The big stink is over a proposed statewide moratorium on landfills. Tuesday a senate panel discussed a proposal that would stop dump site expansion or creation until 2011. But, That could cause some big problems. The concerns stem from other states dumping their trash here in South Carolina.
According to the department of health and environmental control, Over the past year and a half More than a million tons of solid waste was shipped to the Lee County landfill from as far away as New York. Although that sounds like a lot, DHEC reports other states receive much more. For example, Virginia collected more than 7-million tons in the same time frame.
A packed house crammed into a conference room Tuesday, waiting to tell lawmakers how they feel about a bill that would force the state to stop creating or expanding landfills.
Many argue landfills are environmentally friendly and add they bring in millions of dollars every year for struggling counties. Others disagree saying constant- growing garbage mounds are a source of foul odor. Since the state motto is "Smiling faces, Beautiful places" South Carolina shouldn't be the nations dumping ground.
Waste Management spokesman Randall Essick says their facilities are regional operations. That means they only bring in trash from a 70-mile radius. Plus, he says they're working on several "green" projects.
"We hope legislators will work with us in raising the bar on how we manage waste in South Carolina. We have to reduce, reuse and recycle," says Essick.
Lawmakers expect to have a report ready on Thursday. WACH FOX News will continue to follow this story and keep you updated.
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