13:1E-30. State grant for experiental, landfill mining projects; application; evaluation

21. a. The commissioner may make, or contract to make, a State grant to any person engaged in solid waste collection, disposal or utilization activities, to assist that person in experimenting with new methods of solid waste collection, disposal or utilization, including but not limited to, source reduction, material recycling and energy recovery demonstration projects, intermunicipal waste collection and disposal systems projects, and coordinated multiusage of terminated sanitary landfill disposal sites projects. The commissioner may also make, or contract to make, a State grant to a local government unit, as defined pursuant to subsection f. of section 1 of P.L.1994, c.99 (C.13:1E-34.1) that owns or operates a sanitary landfill facility to undertake a landfill mining project, as defined pursuant to subsection a. of section 1 of P.L.1994, c.99 (C.13:1E-34.1).

Any person engaged in solid waste collection, disposal or utilization activities, or a local government unit as provided by section 1 of P.L.1994, c.99 (C.13:1E-34.1) may apply to the commissioner for a State grant; provided, however, that the application has been approved by the board of chosen freeholders, or the Hackensack Commission, as the case may be, as in conformity with the adopted and approved solid waste management plan of the solid waste management district within which the experimental project is to be undertaken. The applicant shall submit a copy of the plan for any solid waste collection, disposal or utilization experimental project for which a State grant is sought and such other detailed information concerning the project, including maps, data, plans, estimated costs, and method of financing, as the commissioner may require by rules and regulations promulgated hereunder. The commissioner may exempt any demonstration project from the provisions of P.L.1970, c.39 (C.13:1E-1 et seq.) or P.L.1970, c.40 (C.48:13A-1 et seq.).

b. The commissioner shall review and evaluate all applications submitted to him pursuant to subsection a. of this section, and shall establish such priorities for making grants pursuant to this amendatory and supplementary act as shall give due regard to the degree to which the experimental project for which a State grant is sought will have a beneficial and long term effect on solid waste collection, disposal and utilization methods in this State.

L.1975,c.326,s.21; amended 1994,c.99,s.3.