N.J. Stat. § 48:13A-7.25
The Legislature finds and declares that efficient and reasonable solid waste disposal services at competitive rates will more likely be achieved if the services of privately-owned sanitary landfill facilities in this State are under the supervision of the Department of Environmental Protection but not subject to traditional public utility economic regulation.
The Legislature further finds and declares that it is imperative that the State ensure the economic viability and competitiveness of all solid waste disposal facilities in this State whether publicly or privately owned in order to safeguard the integrity of the State's solid waste management strategy; that it is equally imperative to safeguard the interests of consumers in efficient sanitary landfill services at competitive rates; that to achieve these ends and provide for consumer protection it is necessary to foster competition and this can best be achieved by establishing a responsible State supervisory role and abolishing traditional utility economic restrictions which place New Jersey's commercial landfills at a competitive disadvantage and threaten their economic viability in today's competitive market for solid waste disposal services.
The Legislature further finds and declares that reforming traditional public utility regulation with respect to privately-owned sanitary landfill facilities in the manner hereinafter provided will not compromise the State's ability to supervise the solid waste disposal services provided at such commercial facilities pursuant to P.L. 1970, c.40 (C.48:13A-1 et seq.) or its ability to prevent persons with criminal backgrounds from engaging in the business of solid waste disposal through implementation of the licensing system established under P.L. 1983, c.392 (C.13:1E-126 et seq.) and P.L. 1991, c.269 (C.13:1E-128.1 et al.).
The Legislature therefore determines that it is in the public interest to provide for the reform of this State's economic regulation of privately-owned sanitary landfill facilities while at the same time maintaining State supervision over these commercial facilities.
N.J.S. § 48:13A-7.25