Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has granted the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), Silver Spring, Md., and the National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA), Washington, D.C., permission to file a joint amicus brief in a lawsuit brought by the Madison, Wis.-based GrassRoots Recycling Network (GRRN). GRRN’s lawsuit challenges the Washington, D.C.-based Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) "Research, Development and Demonstration Permits for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills" in part on the grounds that it increases air and water pollution.

The EPA says the rule is intended to promote innovation and notes that applicants for the permits must demonstrate that their plans will not increase risks to human health and the environment.

The joint brief by SWANA and NSWMA will defend the rule. The filing of the amicus brief was opposed by GRRN.