1989 – Maine Legislature bans new or expanded commercial solid waste disposal facilities and created Maine Waste Management Agency to oversee future capacity development
1991 – Maine Waste Management Agency begins the process to purchase and seek a permit for Carpenter Ridge Landfill in T2 R8 (located West of Lincoln, Maine) to be held as a ‘green landfill’ site until needed in the future
1995 – Legislature abolishes Maine Waste Management Agency and moves many of the agency’s responsibilities to the State Planning Office
1996 – Maine Department of Environmental Protection permits Carpenter Ridge to accept special wastes
2003 – To help reduce the paper mill’s energy costs and save jobs at Georgia Pacific/Fort James in Old Town, Governor Baldacci’s Administration negotiates an agreement that leads to the State acquiring the paper company’s landfill and submits legislation to authorize transfer ownership.
2003 – The Maine Legislature directs the State to acquire the Fort James generator-owned landfill, located in West Old Town, and known as the West Old Town Landfill (subsequently renamed to the Juniper Ridge Landfill)
2003 – The State Planning Office seeks competitive proposals for a qualified landfill operator and awards a contract to Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
2004 – The State Planning Office and Casella enter into an operating services agreement that includes the fuel supply agreement, a cap on tipping fees, exclusions on out-of-state waste, and a requirement that the operator apply for additional landfill capacity by a date certain
2004 – The Department of Environmental Protection approves the transfer of the landfill’s operating license to the State Planning Office
2004 – The Board of Environmental Protection considers an appeal of the license transfer and upholds the decision
2005 – An appeal of the license transfer is made before the Penobscot Superior Court
2006 – The Penobscot Superior Court upholds the license transfer
2009 – The commercially-owned and operated Pine Tree Landfill in Hampden is closed in accordance with an agreement between the Department of Environmental Protection, the Town of Hampden, and the landfill owner, Casella Waste Systems.
2011 - State acquires Dolby Landfill in East Millinocket from Kathadin Paper Company (Resolve 2011, Ch 90)
2011 – State Planning Office eliminated and landfill ownership transferred to Department of Administration and Financial Services, Bureau of General Services (PL 2011, Ch 655).
2012 – Maine DEP issues Public Benefit Determination for expansion of Juniper Ridge Landfill.
2012 – Maine Energy Recovery solid waste incinerator in Biddeford permanently shuts down.