R.I. Central Landfill for sale? State seeks offers
5:38 PM Mon, Nov 02, 2009 | Permalink
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By Mike Stanton PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The state Monday began soliciting proposals to explore the feasibility of leasing or selling the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation, which runs the state's Central Landfill in Johnston and Rhode Island's recycling operations. "These are difficult economic times, but the waste-management market is very lucrative,'' said Amy Kempe, Governor Carcieri's spokeswoman. "There could be an opportunity with a private owner or operator that could be beneficial to the taxpayers.'' Michael O'Connell, the executive director of Resource Recovery since 2007, said that it makes sense to explore getting government out of the business of running a landfill, especially if a deal with a private operator could help bring much needed revenue to Rhode Island's strapped budget. "Let's see what it's worth,'' said O'Connell. "In rough economic times, it makes sense to put it out there. The governor and I are both private enterprise kind of guys. We're just a landfill. Why is government so involved? It makes sense to take a look at going private, as many states have done.'' On Monday, Rhode Island purchasing officials posted a "request for information'' on the Web site, seeking proposals "on the feasibility of leasing or selling some or all of the Rhode Island Resource Recovery operations or assets.'' "Given the current difficult economic circumstances and resultant price competition in the RI regional solid waste market,'' the request says, "the state believes there may be an opportunity for private ownership/operation that could capture some of the potential synergies across the entire waste collection/disposal market.''
Kempe noted that any deal could be a straight sale, or a lease arrangement that guarantees a steady flow of revenue to the state, or some combination. Proposals, due on Dec. 2, will be vetted by Carcieri's Director of Administration, Gary Sasse; O'Connell, and state budget and purchasing officials. Because it is just a request for information, and no contract will be awarded, the request states that responses will not be made public. 
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Hm. Let's see. We're looking for "synergistic" opportunities for profit in the waste disposal market. I wonder where those profits will come from?
It could come from the cities and towns that send waste to the landfill. Where do they get their money from? Oh, yes. Me.
It could also come from the state. Where does the state get its money? Yeah. Me again.
If the plan is to redirect a portion of my property taxes directly to the state while permitting a well-connected "waste management professional" to skim off a little bit so he can buy his wife a new Escalade every year, wouldn't it be easier to just pass legislation to do that? We're all adults here, and we know that everyone's corrupt. The whole privatization charade isn't really necessary. Just tell us where we're supposed to mail our checks.
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