Waste Management 2008 Annual Report Download - page 47
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Please find page 47 of the 2008 Waste Management annual report below. You can navigate through the pages in the report by either clicking on the pages listed below, or by using the keyword search tool below to find specific information within the annual report.• local communities and citizen groups, adjacent landowners or governmental agencies oppose the issuance of
a permit or approval we need, allege violations of the permits under which we operate or laws or regulations
to which we are subject, or seek to impose liability on us for environmental damage.
We generally seek to work with the authorities or other persons involved in these proceedings to resolve any
issues raised. If we are not successful, the adverse outcome of one or more of these proceedings could result in,
among other things, material increases in our costs or liabilities as well as material charges for asset impairments.
The waste industry is subject to extensive government regulation, and existing or future regulations may
restrict our operations, increase our costs of operations or require us to make additional capital
expenditures.
Stringent government regulations at the federal, state, provincial, and local level in the United States and
Canada have a substantial impact on our business. A large number of complex laws, rules, orders and interpretations
govern environmental protection, health, safety, land use, zoning, transportation and related matters. Among other
things, they may restrict our operations and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash
flows by imposing conditions such as:
• limitations on siting and constructing new waste disposal, transfer or processing facilities or expanding
existing facilities;
• limitations, regulations or levies on collection and disposal prices, rates and volumes;
• limitations or bans on disposal or transportation of out-of-state waste or certain categories of waste; or
• mandates regarding the disposal of solid waste, including requirements to recycle rather than landfill certain
waste streams.
Regulations affecting the siting, design and closure of landfills could require us to undertake investigatory or
remedial activities, curtail operations or close landfills temporarily or permanently. Future changes in these
regulations may require us to modify, supplement or replace equipment or facilities. The costs of complying with
these regulations could be substantial.
In order to develop, expand or operate a landfill or other waste management facility, we must have various
facility permits and other governmental approvals, including those relating to zoning, environmental protection and
land use. The permits and approvals are often difficult, time consuming and costly to obtain and could contain
conditions that limit our operations.
Governmental authorities may enact climate change regulations that could increase our costs to operate.
Environmental advocacy groups and regulatory agencies in the United States have been focusing considerable
attention on the emissions of greenhouse gases and their potential role in climate change. The adoption of laws and
regulations to implement controls of greenhouse gases, including the imposition of fees or taxes, could adversely
affect our collection and disposal operations. Additionally, certain of the states in which we operate are contem-
plating air pollution control regulations that are more stringent than existing and proposed federal regulations.
Changing environmental regulations could require us to take any number of actions, including the purchase of
emission allowances or installation of additional pollution control technology, and could make some operations less
profitable, which could adversely affect our results of operations.
Significant shortages in fuel supply or increases in fuel prices will increase our operating expenses.
The price and supply of fuel are unpredictable, and can fluctuate significantly based on international, political
and economic circumstances, as well as other factors outside our control, such as actions by the Organization of the
Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC, and other oil and gas producers, regional production patterns, weather
conditions and environmental concerns. We have seen average quarterly fuel prices increase by as much as 56% on a
year-over-year basis and decrease by as much as 9% on a year-over-year basis within the last two years. We need
fuel to run our collection and transfer trucks and equipment used in our landfill operations. Supply shortages could
substantially increase our operating expenses. Additionally, as fuel prices increase, our direct operating expenses
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