Casella Secures $7m Grant for Rail Transfer Station at Pennsylvania Landfill

Rutland, Vermont based waste and recycling company, Casella Waste Systems (Nasdaq:CWST), has been awarded a $7 million grant from the State of Pennsylvania to construct a rail siding and transfer station at its McKean County Landfill site in Pennsylvania. The company explained that the grant was awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's Bureau of Rail Freight, Ports & Waterways, and will go toward funding a project to construct new track and unloading facilities at the landfill. The site, which abuts an existing rail line, is currently permitted to accept 5000 tons (4535 tonnes) per day by rail. The landfill's permit also allows disposal of 1000 tons (907 kg) per day by truck. Casella said that the grant provides for 70% of the total costs of the project, and that it will invest around a further $3 million, or 30% of the total costs as the project is built out. According to John W. Casella, chairman and CEO of Casella Waste Systems, the grant is beneficial on several fronts. "First, it allows us to use rail transportation to more fully utilise this strategic asset's permitted capacity. We have a number of opportunities to pursue additional volumes, and rail transportation is a key advantage,” he said. "Second, it is an economic win for Pennsylvania. This project will result in new jobs, and helps strengthen existing jobs at the facility,” continued Casella. “And, third, there are significant environmental and safety benefits as well, including potentially reduced truck traffic, diesel fuel consumption, and carbon monoxide and other emissions," Concluded the CEO. Casella said bought the roughly 230 acre landfill out of bankruptcy proceedings in February 2011 for 500,000 in cash and the assumption of certain contractual obligations. This story also featured in WMW’s Weekly Newscast below Read More Waste Management World Launches Big Picture Competition WMW invites you to enter our new Big Picture photo competition for photographs depicting innovative uses of waste materials and end-of-life products. Combined U.S. Recycling & Composting Rate Drops to 34.5% for 2012 The latest figures from the U.S. EPA show that the combined recycling and composting rate for MSW in the has fallen from 34.7% in 2011 to 34.5% in 2012. Covanta Secures Organic Waste Contract from Oldest Theme Park in U.S. Covanta is to manage organic waste from Lake Compounce theme park in Bristol, Connecticut following an agreement with the park’s owner, Palace Entertainment.