SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON D.C. 20549


FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  March 7, 2007

Casella Waste Systems, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Delaware

 

000-23211

 

03-0338873

(State or Other Jurisdiction

 

(Commission

 

(I.R.S. Employer

of Incorporation)

 

File Number)

 

Identification No.)

 

 

 

 

 

25 Greens Hill Lane

 

 

Rutland, Vermont

 

05701

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (802) 775-0325

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 




Item 2.02.  Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On March 7, 2007, Casella Waste Systems, Inc. announced its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2007, ended January 31, 2007.  The full text of the press release issued in connection with the announcement is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The information in this Form 8-K and the Exhibit attached hereto shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended  (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits

(c)              Exhibits

The following exhibit relating to Item 2.02 shall be deemed to be furnished, and not filed:

99.1            Press release dated March 7, 2007.

2




SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

Date: March 7, 2007

CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Norris

 

 

 

Richard A. Norris

 

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

3




Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

99.1

 

Press release dated March 7, 2007.

 

4



 

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER FISCAL YEAR 2007 RESULTS

RUTLAND, VERMONT (March 7, 2007)—Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CWST), a regional, non-hazardous solid waste services company, today reported financial results for the third quarter and first nine months of its 2007 fiscal year.

Third Quarter Results

For the quarter ended January 31, 2007, the company reported revenues of $133.5 million, up $2.9 million, or 2.2 percent over the same quarter last year. The company’s net loss per common share was $0.07, compared to net income of $0.02 per share in the same quarter last year. Operating income for the quarter was $8.8 million, up $1.7 million or 23.9 percent over the same quarter last year after deferred costs are excluded from fiscal year 2006 third quarter results.  Cash provided by operating activities in the quarter was $16.4 million, down $9.4 million, or 36.4 percent compared to the same quarter last year. The company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) were $26.0 million*, up $2.4 million, or 10.2 percent from the same quarter last year. A reduction of $2.0 million in equity income from the company’s GreenFiber joint venture, and the expectation that this reduction will continue into the fourth quarter, increased the company’s tax rate. These factors accounted for most of the $0.07 loss per common share.

For the nine months ended January 31, 2007, the company reported revenues of $424.8 million. The company’s net loss per common share was $0.05. Operating income for the nine month period was $32.1 million. Cash provided by operating activities for the nine month period was $55.8 million. The company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) were $86.5 million*.

Highlights of the Quarter

 “From an operating perspective, this was a solid quarter,” John W. Casella, chairman and chief executive officer, said. “We continue to drive efficiencies into, and costs out of, the business, as well as driving pricing improvement across our solid waste business throughout the quarter.

“Regional economic conditions had an impact on our overall results,” Casella said. “While landfill pricing is up, volumes remain a challenge. Our GreenFiber unit was adversely impacted by the general slowdown in the housing market and unseasonably warm weather.”

The Company also said it believes its EBITDA* for fiscal year 2007 will be between $110.0 million and $113.0 million.

*Non-GAAP Financial Measures




 

In addition to disclosing financial results prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), we also disclose free cash flow and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and deferred costs (EBITDA), which are non-GAAP measures.

These measures are provided because we understand that certain investors use this information when analyzing the financial position of companies in the solid waste industry, including us. Historically, these measures have been key in comparing operating efficiency of publicly traded companies in the solid waste industry, and assist investors in measuring our ability to meet capital expenditure and working capital requirements. For these reasons we utilize these non- GAAP metrics to measure our performance at all levels. These measures do not represent, and should not be considered as alternatives to cash provided by operating activities as determined in accordance with GAAP. Moreover, these measures do not necessarily indicate whether cash flow will be sufficient for such items as working capital or capital expenditures, or to react to changes in our industry or to the economy generally. Because these measures are not calculated by all companies in the same fashion, they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Casella Waste Systems, headquartered in Rutland, Vermont, provides solid waste management services consisting of collection, transfer, disposal, and recycling services primarily in the eastern United States.

For further information, contact Richard Norris, chief financial officer; Ned Coletta, director of investor relations; or Joseph Fusco, vice president; at (802) 775-0325, or visit the company’s website at http://www.casella.com.

The company will host a conference call to discuss these results on Thursday, March 8, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. ET. Individuals interested in participating in the call should dial [(719) 457-2692] at least 10 minutes before start time. The call will also be webcast; to listen, participants should visit Casella Waste Systems’ website at http://www.casella.com and follow the appropriate link to the webcast. A replay of the call will be available by calling (719) 457-0820 [(conference code #3642447)] before 11:59 p.m. ET, Thursday, March 15, 2007, or by visiting the company’s website.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain matters discussed in this press release are “forward-looking statements” intended to qualify for the safe harbors from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified as such by the context of the statements, including words such as the Company “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “intends,” “estimates” and other similar expressions, whether in the negative or affirmative.  These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry and markets in which we




 

operate and management’s beliefs and assumptions. We cannot guarantee that we actually will achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements made. Such forward-looking statements, and all phases of our operations, involve a number of risks and uncertainties, any one or more of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in our forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include or relate to, among other things: prices for our services fluctuate due to reasons beyond our control; the development of landfills and other disposal facilities is inherently risky and is subject to political, regulatory, and other factors; we may be unable to make acquisitions; we may be unable to reduce costs sufficiently to achieve estimated EBITDA and other targets; anticipated revenue may not materialize; continuing weakness in general economic conditions and poor weather conditions may affect our revenues; we may be required to incur capital expenditures in excess of our estimates; and fluctuations in the commodity pricing of our recyclables may make it more difficult for us to predict our results of operations or meet our estimates. There are a number of other important risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements.  These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, those detailed in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2006. We do not necessarily intend to update publicly any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.




 

CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Unaudited
(In thousands, except amounts per share)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

January 31,

 

January 31,

 

January 31,

 

January 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

130,597

 

$

133,492

 

$

399,392

 

$

424,828

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of operations

 

89,034

 

89,800

 

262,704

 

279,717

 

General and administration

 

17,946

 

17,653

 

53,296

 

58,578

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

16,525

 

17,223

 

49,572

 

54,457

 

Deferred costs

 

1,329

 

 

1,329

 

 

 

 

124,834

 

124,676

 

366,901

 

392,752

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

5,763

 

8,816

 

32,491

 

32,076

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other expense/(income), net:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

8,188

 

10,010

 

23,359

 

29,324

 

Income from equity method investments

 

(3,319

)

(988

)

(4,762

)

(1,978

)

Other income

 

(1,541

)

(50

)

(1,664

)

(351

)

 

 

3,328

 

8,972

 

16,933

 

26,995

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

2,435

 

(156

)

15,558

 

5,081

 

Provision for income taxes

 

1,148

 

689

 

7,005

 

3,590

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

1,287

 

(845

)

8,553

 

1,491

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock dividend

 

859

 

902

 

2,563

 

2,674

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income available to common stockholders

 

$

428

 

$

(1,747

)

$

5,990

 

$

(1,183

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock and common stock equivalent shares outstanding, assuming full dilution

 

25,413

 

25,273

 

25,296

 

25,257

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income per common share

 

$

0.02

 

$

(0.07

)

$

0.24

 

$

(0.05

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA (1)

 

$

23,617

 

$

26,039

 

$

83,392

 

$

86,533

 

 




CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Unaudited
(In thousands)

 

 

 

April 30,

 

January 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2007

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

7,429

 

$

11,929

 

Restricted cash

 

72

 

73

 

Accounts receivable—trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts

 

56,269

 

57,839

 

Other current assets

 

15,204

 

23,395

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current assets

 

78,974

 

93,236

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation

 

481,284

 

506,797

 

Goodwill

 

171,258

 

172,731

 

Intangible assets, net

 

2,762

 

2,276

 

Restricted cash

 

17,887

 

12,518

 

Investments in unconsolidated entities

 

44,491

 

48,811

 

Other non-current assets

 

14,455

 

13,242

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

811,111

 

$

849,611

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

$

527

 

$

1,132

 

Current maturities of capital lease obligations

 

1,061

 

1,096

 

Accounts payable

 

46,364

 

41,316

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

46,813

 

51,834

 

Total current liabilities

 

94,765

 

95,378

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt, less current maturities

 

452,720

 

479,370

 

Capital lease obligations, less current maturities

 

1,747

 

925

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

41,959

 

50,468

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series A redeemable, convertible preferred stock

 

70,430

 

73,104

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

149,490

 

150,366

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

811,111

 

$

849,611

 

 




CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Unaudited

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

January 31,

 

January 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2007

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

8,553

 

$

1,491

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities—

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

49,572

 

54,457

 

Depletion of landfill operating lease obligations

 

4,651

 

5,543

 

Income from equity method investments

 

(4,762

)

(1,978

)

Deferred costs

 

1,329

 

 

(Gain) loss on sale of equipment

 

233

 

(591

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

511

 

Excess tax benefit on the exercise of stock options

 

 

(145

)

Deferred income taxes

 

4,012

 

464

 

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and divestitures

 

(1,145

)

(3,949

)

 

 

53,890

 

54,312

 

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

 

62,443

 

55,803

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

(19,226

)

(2,087

)

Additions to property, plant and equipment—growth

 

(36,552

)

(25,757

)

                                                                     —maintenance

 

(51,608

)

(52,592

)

Payments on landfill operating lease contracts

 

(8,450

)

(4,500

)

Restricted cash from revenue bond issuance

 

 

5,535

 

Other

 

(1,463

)

(110

)

Net Cash Used In Investing Activities

 

(117,299

)

(79,511

)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from long-term borrowings

 

159,733

 

239,950

 

Principal payments on long-term debt

 

(104,581

)

(213,459

)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

1,151

 

1,572

 

Excess tax benefit on the exercise of stock options

 

 

145

 

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities

 

56,303

 

28,208

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

1,447

 

4,500

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

8,578

 

7,429

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

10,025

 

$

11,929

 

 




 

CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Unaudited
(In thousands)

Note 1:     Non - GAAP Financial Measures

        In addition to disclosing financial results prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), we also disclose EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and deferred costs) and Free Cash Flow, which are non-GAAP measures.

       These measures are provided because we understand that certain investors use this information when analyzing the financial position of the solid waste industry, including us. Historically, these measures have been key in comparing operating efficiency of publicly traded companies within the industry, and assist investors in measuring our ability to meet capital expenditure and working capital requirements. For these reasons, we utilize these non-GAAP metrics to measure our performance at all levels. These measures do not represent, and should not be considered as alternatives to net cash provided by operating activities as determined in accordance with GAAP.  Moreover, these measures do not necessarily indicate whether cash flow will be sufficient for such items as working capital or capital expenditures, or to react to changes in our industry or to the economy generally. Because these measures are not calculated by all companies in the same fashion, they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

    Following is a reconciliation of EBITDA to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

January 31,

 

January 31,

 

January 31,

 

January 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

 

$

25,839

 

$

16,403

 

$

62,443

 

$

55,803

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and divestitures

 

(8,128

)

89

 

1,145

 

3,949

 

Deferred income taxes

 

(19

)

613

 

(4,012

)

(464

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

(190

)

 

(511

)

Excess tax benefit on the exercise of stock options

 

 

4

 

 

145

 

Provision for income taxes

 

1,148

 

689

 

7,005

 

3,590

 

Interest expense, net

 

8,188

 

10,010

 

23,359

 

29,324

 

Depletion of landfill operating lease obligations

 

(1,678

)

(1,681

)

(4,651

)

(5,543

)

Gain (loss) on sale of equipment

 

(192

)

152

 

(233

)

591

 

Other income

 

(1,541

)

(50

)

(1,664

)

(351

)

EBITDA

 

$

23,617

 

$

26,039

 

$

83,392

 

$

86,533

 

 

    Following is a reconciliation of Free Cash Flow to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

January 31,

 

January 31,

 

January 31,

 

January 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA

 

$

23,617

 

$

26,039

 

$

83,392

 

$

86,533

 

Add (deduct):

Cash interest

 

(3,557

)

(5,069

)

(16,379

)

(21,696

)

 

Capital expenditures

 

(23,261

)

(18,094

)

(88,160

)

(78,349

)

 

Cash taxes

 

(240

)

(648

)

(1,299

)

(2,241

)

 

Depletion of landfill operating lease obligations

 

1,677

 

1,682

 

4,651

 

5,543

 

 

Change in working capital, adjusted for non-cash items

 

2,934

 

(5,879

)

(7,969

)

(11,513

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FREE CASH FLOW

 

1,170

 

(1,969

)

(25,764

)

(21,723

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add (deduct):

Capital expenditures

 

23,261

 

18,094

 

88,160

 

78,349

 

 

Other

 

1,408

 

278

 

47

 

(823

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

 

$

25,839

 

$

16,403

 

$

62,443

 

$

55,803

 

 




 

CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA TABLES
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

Amounts of the Company’s total revenues attributable to services provided are as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended January 31,

 

Nine Months Ended January 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

Collection

 

$

61,310

 

$

62,478

 

$

192,729

 

$

199,748

 

Landfill / disposal facilities

 

24,167

 

24,183

 

73,928

 

82,590

 

Transfer

 

10,713

 

9,255

 

34,275

 

33,200

 

Recycling

 

34,407

 

37,576

 

98,460

 

109,290

 

Total revenues

 

$

130,597

 

$

133,492

 

$

399,392

 

$

424,828

 

 

Components of revenue growth for the three months ended January 31, 2007 compared to the three months ended January 31, 2006:

 

 

Percentage

 

Solid Waste Operations (1)

Price

 

3.3

%

 

Volume

 

-4.8

%

 

Solid waste commodity price and volume

 

0.3

%

Total growth - Solid Waste Operations

 

-1.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

FCR Operations (1)

Price

 

0.1

%

 

Volume

 

5.2

%

Total growth - FCR Operations

 

5.3

%

 

 

 

 

Rollover effect of acquisitions (as a percentage of total revenues)

 

1.2

%

 

 

 

 

Divestitures (as a percentage of total revenues)

 

0.0

%

 

 

 

 

Total revenue growth

 

2.2

%


(1) - Calculated as a percentage of segment revenues.

Solid Waste Internalization Rates by Region:

 

 

Three Months Ended January  31,

 

Nine Months Ended January  31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

North Eastern region

 

56.8

%

52.8

%

57.5

%

56.1

%

South Eastern region

 

39.6

%

45.3

%

40.9

%

42.2

%

Central region

 

79.7

%

77.1

%

79.0

%

77.4

%

Western region

 

44.1

%

46.8

%

42.4

%

48.8

%

Solid Waste Operations

 

57.0

%

57.1

%

56.0

%

57.8

%

 

US GreenFiber (50% owned) Financial Statistics:

 

 

Three Months Ended January 31,

 

Nine Months Ended January 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

Revenues

 

$

57,484

 

$

48,999

 

$

132,022

 

$

145,525

 

Net income

 

6,632

 

2,634

 

9,524

 

5,418

 

Cash flow from operations

 

1,980

 

3,833

 

11,945

 

13,076

 

Net working capital changes

 

(6,544

)

(1,439

)

(2,948

)

(58

)

EBITDA

 

$

8,524

 

$

5,272

 

$

14,893

 

$

13,134

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a percentage of revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

11.5

%

5.4

%

7.2

%

3.7

%

EBITDA

 

14.8

%

10.8

%

11.3

%

9.0

%

 




 

Components of Growth versus Maintenance Capital Expenditures (1):

 

 

Three Months Ended January 31,

 

Nine Months Ended January 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

Growth Capital Expenditures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Landfill Development

 

$

8,733

 

$

3,282

 

$

27,334

 

$

14,765

 

Boston MRF Building

 

 

 

5,998

 

 

MRF Equipment Upgrades

 

 

2,982

 

 

6,239

 

Other

 

1,940

 

1,273

 

3,220

 

4,753

 

Total Growth Capital Expenditures

 

10,673

 

7,537

 

36,552

 

25,757

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maintenance Capital Expenditures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vehicles, Machinery / Equipment and Containers

 

2,119

 

2,266

 

23,620

 

21,632

 

Landfill Construction & Equipment

 

8,728

 

7,300

 

22,769

 

26,851

 

Facilities

 

1,209

 

900

 

4,260

 

2,921

 

Other

 

532

 

91

 

959

 

1,188

 

Total Maintenance Capital Expenditures

 

12,588

 

10,557

 

51,608

 

52,592

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Capital Expenditures

 

$

23,261

 

$

18,094

 

$

88,160

 

$

78,349

 


(1)           The Company’s capital expenditures are broadly defined as pertaining to either growth or maintenance activities.  Growth capital expenditures are defined as costs related to development of new airspace, permit expansions, new recycling contracts along with incremental costs of equipment and infrastructure added to further such activities.  Growth capital expenditures include the cost of equipment added directly as a result of new business as well as expenditures associated with increasing infrastructure to increase throughput at transfer stations and recycling facilities.  Growth capital expenditures also include those outlays associated with acquiring landfill operating leases, which do not meet the operating lease payment definition, but which were included as a commitment in the successful bid.  Maintenance capital expenditures are defined as landfill cell construction costs not related to expansion airspace, costs for normal permit renewals and replacement costs for equipment due to age or obsolescence.