It is the intent of the Legislature to encourage the development of thermal powerplants using resource recovery (waste-to-energy) technology. Previously enacted incentives for the production of electrical energy from nonfossil fuels in commercially scaled projects have failed to produce the desired results. At the same time, the state faces a growing problem in the environmentally safe disposal of its solid waste. The creation of electricity by a thermal powerplant using resource recovery technology addresses both problems by doing all of the following:
(a) Generating electricity from a nonfossil fuel of an ample, growing supply.
(b) Conserving landfill space, thus reducing waste disposal costs.
(c) Avoiding the health hazards of burying garbage.
Furthermore, development of resource recovery facilities creates new construction jobs, as well as ongoing operating jobs, in the communities in which they are located.