By SAODAT ASANOVA-TAYLOR

Capital News Service

LANSING – Operators of compost companies and public agencies are criticizing legislative bills that might put them out of business.

The bills propose modifying the 17-year-old ban on dumping yard waste in landfills. They would allow some disposal in landfills instead of requiring composting.

Rep. Paul Opsommer, R-DeWitt, one of the sponsors, said the measure is necessary for creating renewable energy resources. The other sponsor of the legislation is Rep. Kenneth Horn, R-Frankenmuth.

“It will allow collection of yard waste only for those landfills that will use a gas collection system and then create alternative energy from it. The ban will still be in place for all the other landfills,” Opsommer said. Continue reading →