Editorial: What a smelly deal

Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2007 | 7:14 a.m.

The Sunrise Landfill cleanup is costing more than expected, so Republic Services has asked Clark County to raise garbage collection rates to make up the difference.

But Republic Services' contract with the county says the company - not its customers or Clark County - is responsible for paying for closure of the landfill, which broke open during a 1998 rainstorm, five years after the landfill was closed and improperly sealed. The storm washed a portion of the landfill's trash into the Las Vegas Wash, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ordered Clark County and Republic to clean up the mess and properly reseal the landfill.

Republic assumed total responsibility for doing the job in exchange for an exclusive contract extension to provide residential and commercial garbage pickup until 2035.

But, as the Las Vegas Sun reported Tuesday, Republic now says the project is going to far exceed the $36 million originally estimated.

The company is allowed to ask for a rate increase to cover anything over $36 million, but the county does not have to grant the request for the additional costs, currently estimated at $29 million.

The Sun's Tony Cook reported that Republic Area President Bob Coyle sent the county a letter suggesting the company might not be able to finish the work - potentially placing Clark County in peril with federal regulators - unless customers' rates are hiked.

The Clark County Commission hasn't made a decision yet on the company's request to raise rates 2.2 percent.

Republic has a lot of nerve. The cleanup that was to be completed in a year remains unfinished after eight years and, even with the cost overrun, will cost a fraction of what Republic will earn from its sweetheart deal. In our view, Republic needs to clean up the mess and assume all costs as promised.

Oscar loves forcing developers to sign labor peace agreements, Culinary loves the city's downtown plans and all is forgiven (1 Comment)

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