California Attorney General files lawsuit against Chiquita Canyon Landfill for hazardous waste violations. Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a lawsuit against Waste Connections over alleged hazardous waste violations at Chiquita Canyon Landfill following years of environmental concerns near Santa Clarita Valley communities. The suit seeks penalties and corrective measures amid continued regulatory scrutiny. 3h ago Wednesday, Oct 28 By Golden State Today California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced on Oct. 27 that his office, together with the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, has filed a lawsuit against Waste Connections and other owners and operators of the Chiquita Canyon Landfill in Los Angeles County. The legal action addresses ongoing environmental contamination linked to a subsurface elevated temperature event at the landfill, which has resulted in repeated releases of hazardous leachate and alleged violations of state hazardous waste laws. Chiquita Canyon is a 639-acre landfill located in the Santa Clarita Valley that began operations in 1972. Since May 2022, elevated temperatures beneath the landfill have caused odors, large volumes of leachate containing chemicals such as benzene and methyl ethyl ketone, and other environmental impacts. According to officials, these issues stem from rapid chemical reactions within decomposing waste. The facility ceased accepting new waste on January 1, 2025, after failing to obtain a required permit from the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board. "There has been consistent evidence of leaks, seeps, and spills of hazardous leachate and improper transport, treatment, and storage of hazardous materials," Bonta said. "Protecting the environment and safeguarding Californians requires quick and effective action from the Chiquita Canyon Landfill's owners and operators. For too long, the Chiquita Canyon Landfill has done the opposite... Let there be no doubt, when owners and operators fail to do their part in protecting our water, soil, and air, my office will step in." Yana Garcia, California Environmental Protection Secretary, said: "Waste Connections has repeatedly, consistently and pervasively failed to lawfully manage hazardous waste at the Chiquita Canyon Landfill... This lawsuit makes it clear that California will continue to hold Waste Connections accountable for its actions." Katherine Butler from DTSC added: "For all Californians... Waste Connections must manage hazardous waste safely... Today's action is another important step toward addressing the magnitude of impacts." Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Los Angeles) said: "No company should be allowed to put its profits ahead of the health of our families or safety... We deserve real relief from this ongoing public health crisis." The affected area within Chiquita Canyon expanded from about 20 acres in May 2022 to at least 90 acres by late 2025. Several residential communities - including Val Verde - are located near the site along with multiple schools. In November 2023, local agencies formed a Multi-Agency Critical Action Team involving federal EPA officials as well as state regulators; enforcement actions are ongoing alongside lawsuits filed by Los Angeles County residents. The lawsuit seeks civil penalties as well as injunctive relief including an abatement fund for pollution mitigation. The California Attorney General's office serves as chief law enforcement authority across California's executive branch - advancing policies on environmental justice among other areas - according to the official website.

Why Waste Connections stock is up today. Shareholders also have larger dividends headed their way. Start Investing Published October 22, 4:13 pm EDT Key Points * Acquisitions are helping to drive Waste Connections' profits higher. * The disposal services provider is passing much of this cash on to its stock owners. Shares of Waste Connections (TSX: WCN) surged almost 10% Thursday after the garbage hauler boosted its cash payouts to investors. Turning trash into cash. Waste Connections' third-quarter revenue rose 7% year over year to US$2.6 billion. The trash collector employs a growth-through-acquisition business model, enabling it to steadily expand its waste services network. The acquisitions it completed so far this year are projected to add roughly US$130 million in annualized revenue. Additionally, Waste Connections' focus on exclusive and secondary markets gives it strong pricing power, allowing it to increase its fees above the rate of inflation. These price hikes have helped to offset rising fuel costs as diesel prices have spiked. All told, Waste Connections' adjusted net income increased 7% to US$399 million. Its earnings per share, boosted by stock buybacks, climbed 10% to US$1.58. That topped Wall Street's estimates, which had called for per-share profits of US$1.52. Invest in Stocks Rising profits mean larger dividends for shareowners. These solid results prompted Waste Connections to lift its full-year financial forecast. Management now expects revenue of US$10.1 billion, net income of US$1.2 billion, and adjusted free cash flow of more than US$1.4 billion. The landfill operator also raised its quarterly dividend by 10% to US$0.385 per share. "The strength of our operating performance, free cash flow generation, and balance sheet positioned us for another double-digit annual increase in our quarterly cash dividend, our sixteenth in a row," CEO Ronald Mittelstaedt said.

Waste Connections shares up following 3Q earnings beat, rosier 2026 guidance. Published on 10/22/2026 at 12:53 pm EDT By Adriano Marchese Waste Connections shares jumped after the company raised its full-year outlook again on the back of better-than-expected third-quarter earnings, driven by a rebound in landfill activity and stronger pricing power. Shares traded 8.7% higher in Toronto at 256.81 Canadian dollars ($182.83). The company is leveraging resilient pricing and growth in construction waste to offset broader macroeconomic uncertainty and late-quarter diesel price surges. Waste Connections reported late Thursday that landfill volume growth turned positive across all three of its primary waste types for the first time in two years. The improving trends led the company to increase its 2026 outlook for the second time this year. Waste Connections now expects revenue of $10.09 billion, with net income in the range of $1.18 billion. Previously, revenue was seen at $10.02 billion to $10.05 billion, and net income in the range of $1.169 billion to $1.173 billion. For the third quarter revenue grew to $2.64 billion from $2.46 billion a year earlier, ahead of analyst expectations of $2.61 billion, according to FactSet. The company also benefited from an influx of infrastructure project waste, which helped lift earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization to $895.8 million, up from $830.3 million year ago. Chief Executive Ron Mittelstaedt said on a call with analysts that the higher volumes were led by a 7% jump in special waste and a 5% rise in construction and demolition debris, fueled by large-scale infrastructure projects such as highways, data centers, and chip plants. Net income rose to $359.2 million, or $1.43 a share, up from $286.3 million, or $1.11 a share in the same period a year ago. Adjusted net income came to $1.58 a share, topping analyst forecasts of $1.53 a share. Write to Adriano Marchese at [email protected] (END) Dow Jones Newswires 10-22-26 1251ET (C) Dow Jones - 2026