Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - The newest addition to the refuse hauling industry in Missoula, Grizzly Disposal, is one step closer to being free to conduct business in competition with Republic Services.

Grizzly Disposal Clears another Legal Hurdle

KGVO News learned from Missoula Attorney Quentin Rhoades that the commission has approved Grizzly Disposal’s request to continue doing business in Missoula.

“Allied Waste (doing business as Republic Services) had appealed,” began Rhoades. “It's a protest of the issuance of a garbage hauling permit by the Public Service Commission to L&L Site Services, which is doing business in Missoula County as Grizzly Disposal. What the PSC’s decision did was give people in Missoula County the option of a second vendor for hauling garbage.”

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Rhoades explained how the Public Service Commission denied the appeal by Allied Waste.

The Public Service Commission Denied the Appeal

“The incumbent or Republic, with the familiar blue trucks and canisters, they appealed that issuance of the permit to a district court in Helena, arguing that the PSC (Public Service Commission) had misapplied the law and made erroneous findings of fact, in determining that Missoula County could use another garbage hauling service,” he said. “Yesterday we got the decision back from the district court rejecting that position and denying the appeal.”

Rhoades speculated about what may happen in light of the Public Service Commission’s decision.

“They're (the Missoula public) is not going to all switch to Grizzly Disposal, so I think what will happen is that Republic (Allied Waste) will lower its rates in order to compete,” he said. “But that savings comes nonetheless whether they whether customers switch to Grizzly or whether Republic has to lower its prices to compete. In the end, the consumer is going to benefit immensely. And so many consumers are very excited about that decision.”

They Can Still Appeal to the Montana Supreme Court

Rhoades said Allied Waste still has one more avenue of appeal open to it.

“There's one more level of appeal,” he said. “The district court was the first level of appeal from the PSC (Public Service Commission) decision and ultimately that decision can be appealed to the Montana Supreme Court. If Republic (Allied Waste) chooses to do that it'll have 30 days to make that decision but yes it does have one more avenue of appeal.”

Click below to read the Public Service Commission’s decision released on Wednesday.

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