Even in those cases where private contractors are involved, investment decisions are not made by an analysis of prospective market conditions, but rather by what political winds allow. Waste haulers in the private sector must earn their customers by providing better service at a better price. In cities such as Indianapolis and Philadelphia, local governments are beginning to learn the virtues of competition in the provision of municipal services and how expanded private sector involvement works to the benefit of local consumers. It is ironic that Congress would seek to short-circuit that process by legislative fiat. Yet that is exactly what congressional authorization of flow control would do.
Consumers benefit without flow control, because competition drives down disposal prices.
Environmental impacts are reduced as competition also spurs innovation and greater efficiency. All flow control brings is less local government accountability and an increase in bureaucratic waste. The real question is whether the federal government sanctions interference with interstate commerce in order to enable cities to hide the costs of poor decisionmaking. It is ironic that the U.S. Congress is considering allowing states to restrict the interstate flow of goods and services at the same time as the world is moving toward a more integrated global economy. That is insane.