The Island Waste Management Corporation (IWMC) has made a rate adjustment application to the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (IRAC).
“Waste Watch is an excellent program that greatly reduces the amount of waste in Island landfills,” says IWMC CEO Gerry Moore. “The rates Islanders pay to keep this environmentally friendly program up and running are more than reasonable, as is this small rate adjustment, which is the first such adjustment in four years.”
The application proposes an increase to the annual household fee, which would increase rates from $195 to $199.85 per year, and the commercial tippage fee, which would increase rates from $99 to $100 per metric tonne. IWMC also proposes small increases for a number of other fees.
Moore noted any potential rate adjustment applications must be reviewed and approved by the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission, as with other public utilities, in order to ensure transparency and accountability for taxpayers.
“IWMC staff are vigilant about controlling operating costs,” said Moore. “Rate adjustments are considered only as a last resort in order to balance revenues and expenses. But there are certain input costs such as fuel, electricity, and other operational costs that are beyond our control as a corporation, just as they are for individuals and other organizations in both the public and private sector, and those costs continue to rise.”
If approved, the rate increases would be in effect January 1, 2010.