Document: 437 U.S. 617 98 S.Ct. 2531 57 L.Ed.2d 475 CITY OF PHILADELPHIA et al., Appellants,v.State of NEW JERSEY al. No. 77-404. Argued March 27, 1978. Decided June 23, Syllabus New Jersey statute (ch. 363) that prohibits the importation most "solid or liquid waste which originated was collected outside territorial limits State . " held to violate Commerce Clause United States Constitution. Pp. 621-629. (a) All objects interstate trade merit protection and none is excluded from definition "commerce" at outset; hence, contrary suggestion court below, there can be no doubt banning "valueless" out-of-state wastes by ch. 363 implicates constitutional protection. Bowman v. Chicago & Northwestern R. Co., 125 465, 8 689, 31 L.Ed. 700, distinguished. 621-623. (b) The crucial inquiry here must directed determining whether basically an economic protectionist measure, thus virtually per se invalid, a law legitimate local concerns has only incidental effects on commerce. Pike Bruce Church, Inc., 397 137, 142, 90 844, 25 174. 623-624. (c) Since evil protectionism reside in legislative means as well ends, it immaterial purpose protect Jersey's environment its economy, for whatever purpose, may not accomplished discriminating against articles commerce coming unless some reason, apart their origin, treat them differently. Both face plain effect violates this principle nondiscrimination. A attempt isolate itself problem common many erecting barrier movement trade, seeks do imposing commercial interests full burden conserving remaining landfill space. 625-628. (d) cannot likened quarantine bans because innate harmfulness origin. Though concedes different domestic waste, banned former while leaving sites open latter, trying saddle those with entire slowing flow into sites. 628-629. 73 N.J. 562, 376 A.2d 888, reversed. Herbert F. Moore, Princeton, N. J., appellants. Stephen Skillman, Trenton, appellees. Mr. Justice STEWART delivered opinion Court. 1 .." In case we are required decide statutory prohibition 2 * provision ques ion 1973 Laws, took early 1974. pertinent part provides: 3 "No person shall bring any solid State, except garbage fed swine Jersey, until commissioner [of Department Environmental Protection] determine such action permitted without endangering public health, safety welfare promulgated regulations permitting regulating treatment disposal State." N.J.Stat.Ann. § 13:1I-10 (West Supp. 1978).1 4 As authorized 363, Commissioner four categories enter State.2 Apart these narrow exceptions, however, closed borders all other States. 5 Immediately affected developments were operators private landfills several cities had agreements disposal. They brought suit Protection state court, attacking number federal grounds. oral granting plaintiffs' motion summary judgment, trial declared unconstitutional discriminated Supreme Court consolidated another reaching same conclusion, Hackensack Meadowlands Development Comm'n Municipal Sanitary Landfill Auth., 127 N.J.Super. 160, 316 711, reversed, 68 451, 348 505. It found advanced vital health environmental objectives discrimination against, little upon, commerce, therefore permissible under also congressional intent pre-empt enacting 1965 Solid Waste Disposal Act, 79 Stat. 997, 42 U.S.C. 3251 seq., amended Resource Recovery Act 1970, 84 1227. 6 plaintiffs then appealed Court.3 After noting probable jurisdiction, 425 910, 96 1504, 47 760, hearing argume t, remanded reconsideration appellants' pre-emption claim light newly enacted Conservation 1976, 2795. 430 141, 97 987, 51 224. Again law, again noted 434 964, 501, 54 448. We agree been pre-empted legislation.4 dispositive question, therefore, constitutionally Constitution.5 II 7 Before addressed merits claim, questioned within meaning Clause. Any doubts score should laid rest outset. expressed view two definitions purposes. When relied "to support exertion control regulation," permits "a very sweeping concept" N.J., 469, A.2d, 514. But when strike down restrict legislation," term have "much more confined reach." Ibid. 9 reached conclusion reconcile modern concepts old cases holding prohibit they "are subjects commerce." 489, 700. These include items "which, account existing condition, would spread disease, pestilence, death, rags substances infect d germs yellow fever virus small-pox, cattle meat provisions diseased decayed, otherwise, condition quality, unfit human use consumption." See Baldwin G. A. Seelig, 294 511, 525, 55 497, 1032 cited therein. narrowed regulations, see n. 2, supra, "those can[not] put effective use," all, "the mere transportation valueless between states constitutes provision." 468, 10 think misread our cases, erred assuming require two-tiered saying innately harmful commerce," stating starting point reasoning. protection; similar simply articles' worth far outweighed dangers inhering movement, could across lines. Hence, reject court's Just Congress power regulate wastes, free scrutiny movement. Cf. Hughes Alexandria Scrap Corp., 426 794, 802-814, 2488, 2494-2500, 49 220; Meat Drivers States, 371 94, 83 162, 150. III 11 Although Constitution gives among potential regulation inevitably escape attention "because character diversity." South Carolina Highway Dept. Barnwell Bros., 303 177, 185, 58 510, 513, 82 734. absence legislation, so long act restraints imposed itself. Raymond Motor Transportation, Inc. Rice, 429, 440, 787, 793, 664. bounds appear nowhere words Clause, but emerged gradually decisions giving basic purpose. That broad Jackson his H. P. Hood Sons, Du Mond, 336 537-538, 69 657, 665, 93 865: 12 "This unit Nation, alone gamut powers necessary including customs barriers foreign competition, corollary separable units. said 527, 1032, 38 A.L.R. 286, 'what ultimate one dealings place position isolation.' 13 opinions through years reflected alertness evils "economic isolation" protectionism, time recognizing burdens unavoidable legislates safeguard people. Thus, where simple effected rule invalidity erected. See, e. g., supra; Too er Witsell, 334 385, 403-406, 1156, 1165-1167, 92 1460; Buck Kuykendall, 267 307, 315-316, 45 324, 325-326, 623. clearest example legislation overtly blocks State's borders. Welton Missouri, 91 275, 23 347. credibly patent adopted much flexible approach, general contours outlined 847, 174: 14 "Where regulates evenhandedly effectuate interest, incidental, will upheld clearly excessive relation putative benefits. If found, question becomes degree. And extent tolerated course depend nature interest involved, promoted lesser impact activities." 15 U.S., 441-442, S.Ct., 787; Hunt Washington Apple Advertising Comm'n, 432 333, 352-354, 2434, 2446-2447, 53 383; Great P Tea Co. Cottrell, 424 366, 371-372, 923, 927-928, 55. 16 inquiry, fairly viewed concerns, upon incidental. B 17 set out follows: 18 "The Legislature finds determines volume continues rapidly increase, pose even greater threat quality available appropriate land fill being diminished, threatened generated prohibited." 19 accepted statement legislature's additionally exhausted few years; go using develop new ones take heavy toll, both pollution loss scarce lands; techniques divert methods resource recovery processes development, changes time; finally, extension lifespan landfills, resulting exclusion importance preventing further virgin wetlands undeveloped lands devoted purposes." 460-465, 509-512. Based findings, concluded designed protect, environment, substantial benefits outweigh "slight" Id., 471-478, 515-519. 20 appellants strenuously contend "while outwardly cloaked 'in currently fashionable garb protection,' actually than effort suppress competition stabilize cost residents cite passages history suggesting primarily financial: Stemming certain extend lives, delaying day transport distant expensive 21 appellees, hand, deny motivated financial protectionism. brief, "[n]o stand gain advantage over competitors result ban dumping waste." Noting plaintiffs, appellee's brief argues "[t]he complaint forged preference own interests, rather denied small group entrepreneurs opportunity traffic order citizenry large." 22 This dispute about need resolved, resolution relevant issue decided case. Contrary evident assumption parties, ends. does matter aim reduce costs save pollution, assume every right residents' pocketbooks environment. assumed pursue ends ofall though incidentally affected. effect, consistently parochial kind assure steady supply milk allegedly ruinous 522-524, 500, create jobs keeping industry Foster-Fountain Packing Haydel, 278 1, 10, 3, 147; Johnson 16, 6, 155; Toomer 403-404, 1166; preserve resources depletion fencing indigent immigrants, Edwards California, 314 173-174, 62 164, 166-167, 86 119. each presumably goal sought achieved illegitimate isolating national economy. 24 Also Court's accord inhabitants preferred access consumers natural located West, Attorney General Oklahoma Kansas Natural Gas 221 229, 564, 716; Pennsylvania West Virginia, 262 553, 43 658, 67 1117. "State prevent privately owned shipped sold ground satisfy demands needed people State."6 4. falls squarely area puts off regulation. On face, imposes true previous article whereas distinct. difference consequence. instances, moved slow freeze reasons. shut inside other. What trade. appellees argue laws facially discriminate forbidden regulations. particular, laws, repeatedly single special treatment. 501; appellees' view, analogous health-protective measures, since reduces exposure 26 considered Asbell Kansas, 209 251, 28 485, 52 778; Reid Colorado, 187 92, 108; livestock destruction soon possible risked contagion evils. Those did such, prevented noxious articles, 27 law. There endangers disposed close generation possible. harms caused arise after sites, point, concedes, basis distinguish waste. inherently harmful, Yet latter. obvious refuse impermissible Today, York find expedient send disposal, claims traffic. Tomorrow, might future, just protects her neighbors now, efforts stream shared all. judgment 29 Reversed. 30 REHNQUIST, whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE joins, dissenting. growing Nation sanitary waste.1 For years, incinerated. Because significant problems attendant incineration, method declined localities, Jersey. "Sanitary" replaced incineration principal disposing legislatively recognized unfortunate fact present extremely serious problems. First, "virtually expected produce leachate, highly polluted seldom visible frequently pollutes surface waters." App. 149. decomposition process occurs produces large quantities methane thereby presents explosion hazard. 149, 156-157. Landfills generate "health hazards rodents, fires scavenger birds" and, "needless say, help aesthetic appearance nor noise water air problems." Supp.App. 5. 32 associated unsolvable dilemma. Other, hopefully safer, still development stage presently used. obviously completely stop tide citizens interim. moment, continue dispose despite critical created. 33 presented receive neighboring inexorably increase discussed above.2 answers affirmative. either operations, cast nonexistent solution borders, accept portion multiplying if dealt State. past precedents establish Hobson's choice, I dissent. 34 recognizes, ante, 621-622, 'which, infected decayed consumption.' 700 (1888). (1935); Sligh Kirkwood, 237 52, 59-60, 35 502, 59 835 (1915); 778 (1908); Railroad Husen, 95 472, 527 (1878). points out, "quarantine Ante, 628 (emphasis added). my opinion, one. Under them, germ-infected best facilities up material physical life somehow mean serve depository Similarly, poses citizens. to, indeed way record case, rags, meat, items. 36 prior unconvincing. first asserts previously "banned evils." According Court, distinguishable concern inability safely once reaches destination. clear limited focus imputes it: hazard destination likelihood equally great transit. 37 Even correct characterization why whose risks contagion, which, although transported undue hazard, pile ever increasing danger public's safety. drawn having validity turn pointless distinctions. Second, implies challenged invalidated left But, notes, 628, "even o treatment." not, course, harmful. Nor reasons population. sheer necessity fashion, suffering hoof-and-mouth disease. follow must, exacerbate 39 expressly passed areas minimum." 473, 505, 516. absolutely evidence contradict finding distinguishing challenge upholding endanger population Control 13:1I-1 seq. 1978), 1973. empowered promulgate rules Within year, legislature reversed presumption blocked excepted Commissioner. Effective February 1974, provided "(a) No Section apply to: "1. Garbage Jersey; "2. separated material, newsprint, paper, glass metals, putrescible materials mixed intended recycling reclamation facility; "3. processed usable secondary materials, fuel heat, facility less 70 cent thru-put materials; "4. Pesticides, hazardous chemical bulk liquid, semi-liquid, treated, recovered registered treatment, processing recovery, N.J.Admin.Code 7:1-4.2 (Supp. 1977). decision claims, proceedings claims. dismissed prejudice counts final appeal surviving 1227, 2795, now codified 6901 (1976 ed.). From review "clear manifest Congress," Rice Santa Fe Elevator 331 218, 230, 1146, 1152, 1447, field management transportation, express command, Jones Rath 519, 530-531, 1305, 1311-1312, 604 implicit design, City Burbank Lockheed Air Terminal, 411 624, 633, 1854, 547. To contrary, collection function regional, agencies 6901(a)(4) square conflict particular incompatibility objectives. Ray Atlantic Richfield 435 151, 158, 988, 995, 179; 540-541, 1316. short, enforced program goals respective federal-state roles legislation. U.S.Const., Art. I, 8, cl. 3. power, consistent state-owned resources, compare Douglas Seacoast Products, 431 265, 283-287, 1740, 1750-1753, 304, id., 287-290, 1753-1754 (REHNQUIST, concurring dissenting); 404, 1166, 1460, spend funds solely behalf businesses, 805-810, 2495-2498, 815, 2500 (STEVENS, concurring) 817, 2501 (BRENNAN, dissenting). 187, 514, 734, Southern Pacific Arizona ex rel. Sullivan, 325 761, 783, 65 1515, 1527, 89 1915. specifically posed current 621, 4, "can enacted" statutes. Regulations "except types value fuel." 47. strictly

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