It is hereby found and declared as follows: That the collection, disposal, and utilization of solid waste is a matter of grave concern to all citizens and is an activity thoroughly affected with the public interest; that the health, safety, and welfare of the people of this state require efficient solid waste collection and disposal service and efficient utilization of such waste; that the need exists to develop alternative energy sources for public and private consumption in order to reduce our dependence on such sources as petroleum products, natural gas, nuclear and hydroelectric generation; that solid waste represents a potential source of solid fuel, oil or gas that can be converted into energy; that technology exists to produce usable energy from solid waste; that there is a need for planning, research, development, and innovation in the design, management, and operation of facilities for solid waste management, in order to encourage continuing improvement and provide adequate incentives and processes for reducing operation and other costs in the management of solid waste; that a need exists for the demonstration of systems and techniques for materials recovery and reuse of solid waste; that long-term negotiated contracts with users of energy should be utilized as an incentive for the development of facilities for the recovery of energy from solid waste; that there is a shortage of funds available for the provision of solid waste disposal and resource recovery facilities; in order to provide for the collection and disposal of solid waste and to encourage planning of solid waste collection and disposal service and resource recovery through the development of systems for the recovery of material or energy from solid waste, it is necessary and desirable to authorize the creation by counties and municipalities (or any two or more thereof) in the state of authorities which will have the power to issue and sell bonds and notes and using the proceeds of such bonds and notes to acquire and construct such facilities.
Last modified: May 3, 2021