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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

     
(Mark One)
þ
  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005

OR

     
o
  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM __________ TO __________

Commission File Number: 1-14267

REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
     
DELAWARE   65-0716904
(State of Incorporation)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)
     
110 S.E. 6TH STREET, 28TH FLOOR    
FT. LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA   33301
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (954) 769-2400

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes þ No o

     On April 29, 2005, the registrant had outstanding 137,239,851 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share.

 
 

 


REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.

INDEX

         
        Page
  FINANCIAL INFORMATION    
 
       
  Financial Statements    
 
       
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2005 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2004
  3
 
       
 
 
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004
  4
 
       
 
 
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005
  5
 
       
 
 
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004
  6
 
       
 
 
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
  7
 
       
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   22
 
       
  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk   33
 
       
  Controls and Procedures   33
 
       
  OTHER INFORMATION    
 
       
  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds   34
 
       
  Exhibits   35
 Second Supplemental Indenture
 6.086% Note due March 15, 2035
 6.086% Note due March 15, 2035
 6.086% Note due March 15, 2035
 Section 302 CEO Certification
 Section 302 CFO Certification
 Section 906 CEO Certification
 Section 906 CFO Certification

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions, except share data)

                 
    March 31,     December 31,  
    2005     2004  
    (Unaudited)          
ASSETS
               
CURRENT ASSETS:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 71.8     $ 141.5  
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $17.2 and $18.0, respectively
    246.1       268.7  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    73.7       76.4  
Deferred tax assets
    9.9       9.9  
 
           
Total Current Assets
    401.5       496.5  
RESTRICTED CASH
    224.1       237.0  
RESTRICTED MARKETABLE SECURITIES
    38.9       38.7  
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
    2,039.8       2,008.8  
GOODWILL, NET
    1,550.5       1,562.7  
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
    30.2       30.2  
OTHER ASSETS
    96.0       90.7  
 
           
 
  $ 4,381.0     $ 4,464.6  
 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 110.0     $ 119.6  
Accrued liabilities
    136.5       135.3  
Deferred revenue
    82.2       99.7  
Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt
    20.4       2.4  
Other current liabilities
    102.0       89.6  
 
           
Total Current Liabilities
    451.1       446.6  
LONG-TERM DEBT, NET OF CURRENT MATURITIES
    1,351.0       1,351.9  
ACCRUED LANDFILL AND ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS
    259.1       253.5  
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
    428.1       406.5  
OTHER LIABILITIES
    145.9       133.6  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
               
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
               
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share; 50,000,000 shares authorized; none issued
           
Common stock, par value $.01 per share; 750,000,000 shares authorized; 186,155,539 and 185,750,304 issued, including shares held in treasury, respectively
    1.9       1.9  
Additional paid-in capital
    1,412.2       1,399.4  
Deferred compensation
    (3.1 )     (1.0 )
Retained earnings
    1,270.7       1,222.6  
Treasury stock, at cost (41,080,800 and 35,168,400 shares, respectively)
    (939.5 )     (750.4 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax
    3.6        
 
           
Total Stockholders’ Equity
    1,745.8       1,872.5  
 
           
 
  $ 4,381.0     $ 4,464.6  
 
           

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

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REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in millions, except per share data)

                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,  
    2005     2004  
REVENUE
  $ 677.2     $ 637.3  
EXPENSES:
               
Cost of operations
    418.7       403.5  
Depreciation, amortization and depletion
    61.1       58.0  
Accretion
    3.5       3.3  
Selling, general and administrative
    74.4       62.5  
 
           
OPERATING INCOME
    119.5       110.0  
INTEREST EXPENSE
    (19.9 )     (20.7 )
INTEREST INCOME
    2.5       2.0  
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET
    3.5       .5  
 
           
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    105.6       91.8  
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
    40.1       34.9  
 
           
NET INCOME
  $ 65.5     $ 56.9  
 
           
 
               
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
  $ .44     $ .36  
 
           
 
               
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
    148.2       156.0  
 
           
 
               
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
  $ .43     $ .36  
 
           
 
               
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON AND COMMON EQUIVALENT SHARES OUTSTANDING
    151.0       158.4  
 
           
 
               
CASH DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE
  $ .12     $ .06  
 
           

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

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REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in millions)

                                                                 
                                                    Accumulated        
    Common Stock     Additional                             Other        
    Shares,     Par     Paid-In     Deferred     Retained     Treasury     Comprehensive     Comprehensive  
    Net     Value     Capital     Compensation     Earnings     Stock     Income     Income  
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2004
    150.6     $ 1.9     $ 1,399.4     $ (1.0 )   $ 1,222.6     $ (750.4 )   $          
Net income
                            65.5                 $ 65.5  
Cash dividends
                            (17.4 )                  
Issuance of common stock
    .3             9.6                                
Issuance of restricted stock and deferred stock units
    .1             3.2       (3.2 )                        
Amortization of deferred compensation
                      1.1                          
Purchase of common stock for treasury
    (5.9 )                             (189.1 )            
Change in value of investments, net of tax
                                        .1       .1  
Change in value of derivative instruments, net of tax
                                        3.5       3.5  
 
                                                             
Total comprehensive income
                                            $ 69.1  
 
                                               
 
                                                               
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2005
    145.1     $ 1.9     $ 1,412.2     $ (3.1 )   $ 1,270.7     $ (939.5 )   $ 3.6          
 
                                                 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement.

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REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions)

                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,  
    2005     2004  
CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net income
  $ 65.5     $ 56.9  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment
    40.5       37.1  
Landfill depletion and amortization
    18.9       19.6  
Amortization of intangible and other assets
    1.7       1.3  
Accretion
    3.5       3.3  
Amortization of deferred compensation
    1.1       .7  
Deferred tax provision
    20.0       15.0  
Provision for doubtful accounts
    .9       .6  
Income tax benefit from stock option exercises
    2.2       2.7  
Gain on sale of businesses
    (2.9 )      
Other non-cash items
    .1       .1  
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from business acquisitions and dispositions:
               
Accounts receivable
    20.0       (1.9 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    1.4       60.0  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    (8.3 )     (20.6 )
Other liabilities
    3.0       15.5  
 
           
 
    167.6       190.3  
 
           
 
               
CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Purchases of property and equipment
    (50.2 )     (38.8 )
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
    .5       1.7  
Cash used in business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
    (2.5 )     (1.2 )
Cash proceeds from business dispositions
    28.8        
Amounts due and contingent payments to former owners
    (.7 )     (1.2 )
Change in restricted cash
    12.9       (2.4 )
Change in restricted marketable securities
    (.1 )     (2.5 )
 
           
 
    (11.3 )     (44.4 )
 
           
 
               
CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Proceeds from notes payable and long-term debt
    3.8        
Payment of premium to exchange notes payable
    (27.6 )      
Payments of notes payable and long-term debt
    (2.4 )     (2.7 )
Issuance of common stock
    7.4       14.2  
Purchases of common stock for treasury
    (189.1 )     (93.1 )
Cash dividends
    (18.1 )     (9.3 )
 
           
 
    (226.0 )     (90.9 )
 
           
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    (69.7 )     55.0  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD
    141.5       119.2  
 
           
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
  $ 71.8     $ 174.2  
 
           

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

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REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All tables in millions, except per share data)

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

     Republic Services, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) is a leading provider of non-hazardous solid waste collection and disposal services in the United States.

     The accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Certain information related to the Company’s organization, significant accounting policies and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted. In the opinion of management, these Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all material adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to fairly state the financial position and the results of operations for the periods presented, and the disclosures herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that can be expected for a full year. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto appearing in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

     The Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and necessarily include amounts based on estimates and assumptions made by management. Actual results could differ from these amounts. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the depletion and amortization of landfill development costs, liabilities for final capping, closure and post-closure costs, valuation allowances for accounts receivable, liabilities for potential litigation, claims and assessments, and liabilities for environmental remediation, deferred taxes and self-insurance.

     On December 16, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123(R)”), which is a revision of SFAS 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”).
SFAS 123(R) supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and amends SFAS 95, “Statement of Cash Flows.” Generally, the approach in SFAS 123(R) is similar to the approach described in SFAS 123. However, SFAS 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values. The Company plans to adopt SFAS 123(R) on January 1, 2006 using the modified-prospective approach. The impact of the adoption of SFAS 123(R) cannot be predicted at this time because it depends on levels of share-based payments granted in the future.

     There are no other new accounting pronouncements that are significant to the Company.

2. ACCRUED LANDFILL AND ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS

Landfill, Environmental and Legal Costs

     A summary of landfill and environmental liabilities is as follows:

                 
    March 31,     December 31,  
    2005     2004  
Landfill final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities
  $ 222.4     $ 216.8  
Remediation
    53.4       54.0  
Environmental and legal costs
    3.7       3.7  
 
           
 
    279.5       274.5  
Less: Current portion (included in other current liabilities)
    (20.4 )     (21.0 )
 
           
Long-term portion
  $ 259.1     $ 253.5  
 
           

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Life Cycle Accounting

     The Company uses life cycle accounting and the units-of-consumption method to recognize certain landfill costs over the life of the site. In life cycle accounting, all costs to acquire and construct a site are capitalized, and charged to expense based upon the consumption of cubic yards of available airspace. Costs and airspace estimates are developed annually by engineers. These estimates are used by the Company’s operating and accounting personnel to annually adjust the Company’s rates used to expense capitalized costs. Changes in these estimates primarily relate to changes in available airspace, inflation and applicable regulations. Changes in available airspace include changes due to the addition of airspace lying in probable expansion areas.

Total Available Disposal Capacity

     As of March 31, 2005, the Company owned or operated 59 solid waste landfills with total available disposal capacity of approximately 1.8 billion in-place cubic yards. Total available disposal capacity represents the sum of estimated permitted airspace plus an estimate of expansion airspace that the Company believes has a probable likelihood of ultimately being permitted.

Probable Expansion Airspace

     Before airspace included in an expansion area is determined as probable expansion airspace and, therefore, included in the Company’s calculation of total available disposal capacity, the following criteria must be met:

  1.   The land associated with the expansion airspace is either owned by the Company or is controlled by the Company pursuant to an option agreement;
 
  2.   The Company is committed to supporting the expansion project financially and with appropriate resources;
 
  3.   There are no identified fatal flaws or impediments associated with the project, including political impediments;
 
  4.   Progress is being made on the project;
 
  5.   The expansion is attainable within a reasonable time frame; and
 
  6.   The Company believes it is likely the expansion permit will be received.

     Upon meeting the Company’s expansion criteria, the rates used at each applicable landfill to expense or accrue costs to acquire, construct, cap, close and maintain a site during the post-closure period are adjusted to include probable expansion airspace. These rates are also adjusted to include all additional costs to be capitalized or accrued associated with the expansion airspace.

     The Company has identified three steps that landfills generally follow to obtain expansion permits. These steps are as follows:

  1.   Obtaining approval from local authorities;
 
  2.   Submitting a permit application with state authorities; and
 
  3.   Obtaining permit approval from state authorities.

     Once a landfill meets the Company’s expansion criteria, management continuously monitors each site’s progress in obtaining the expansion permit. If at any point it is determined that an expansion area no longer meets the required criteria, the probable expansion airspace is removed from the landfill’s total available capacity and the rates used at the landfill to expense costs to acquire, construct, cap, close and maintain a site during the post-closure period are adjusted accordingly.

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Capitalized Landfill Costs

Capitalized landfill costs include expenditures for land, permitting costs, cell construction costs and environmental structures. Capitalized permitting and cell construction costs are limited to direct costs relating to these activities, including legal, engineering and construction associated with excavation, natural and synthetic liners, construction of leachate collection systems, installation of methane gas collection and monitoring systems, installation of groundwater monitoring wells and other costs associated with the development of the site. Interest is capitalized on landfill construction projects while the assets are undergoing activities to ready them for their intended use. Capitalized landfill costs also include final capping, closure and post-closure assets accrued in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations” (“SFAS 143”), as discussed below.

     Costs related to acquiring land, excluding the estimated residual value of unpermitted, non-buffer land, and costs related to permitting and cell construction are depleted as airspace is consumed using the units-of-consumption method.

     Capitalized landfill costs may also include an allocation of purchase price paid for landfills. For landfills purchased as part of a group of several assets, the purchase price assigned to the landfill is determined based upon the discounted future expected cash flows of the landfill relative to the other assets within the group. If the landfill meets the Company’s expansion criteria, the purchase price is further allocated between permitted airspace and expansion airspace based upon the ratio of permitted versus probable expansion airspace to total available airspace. Landfill purchase price is amortized using the units-of-consumption method over the total available airspace including probable expansion airspace where appropriate.

Final Capping, Closure and Post-Closure Costs

     The Company accounts for final capping, closure and post-closure in accordance with SFAS 143.

     The Company has future obligations for final capping, closure and post-closure costs with respect to the landfills it owns or operates as set forth in applicable landfill permits. Final capping, closure and post-closure costs include estimated costs to be incurred for final capping and closure of landfills and estimated costs for providing required post-closure monitoring and maintenance of landfills. The permit requirements are based on the Subtitle C and Subtitle D regulations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), as implemented and applied on a state-by-state basis. Obligations associated with monitoring and controlling methane gas migration and emissions are set forth in applicable landfill permits and these requirements are based upon the provisions of the Clean Air Act of 1970, as amended. Final capping typically includes installing flexible membrane and geosynthetic clay liners, drainage and compact soil layers, and topsoil, and is constructed over an area of the landfill where total airspace capacity has been consumed and waste disposal operations have ceased. These final capping activities occur throughout the operating life of a landfill. Other closure activities and post-closure activities occur after the entire landfill ceases to accept waste and closes. These activities involve methane gas control, leachate management and groundwater monitoring, surface water monitoring and control, and other operational and maintenance activities that occur after the site ceases to accept waste. The post-closure period generally runs for up to 30 years after final site closure for municipal solid waste landfills and a shorter period for construction and demolition landfills and inert landfills.

     Estimates of future expenditures for final capping, closure and post-closure are developed annually by engineers. These estimates are reviewed by management at least annually and are used by the Company’s operating and accounting personnel to adjust the rates used to capitalize and amortize these costs. These estimates involve projections of costs that will be incurred during the remaining life of the landfill for final capping activities, after the landfill ceases operations and during the legally required post-closure monitoring period. Additionally, the Company currently retains post-closure responsibility for several closed landfills.

     Under SFAS 143, a liability for an asset retirement obligation must be recognized in the period in which it is incurred and should be initially measured at fair value. Absent quoted market prices, the estimate of fair value should be based on the best available information, including the results of present value techniques in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts No. 7, “Using Cash Flow and Present Value in Accounting Measurements” (“SFAC 7”). The offset to the liability must be capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. Changes in the liability due to the passage of time are recognized as operating items in the income statement and are referred to as accretion expense. Changes in the liability due to revisions to estimated future cash flows are recognized by increasing or decreasing the liability with the offset adjusting the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset.

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     In applying the provisions of SFAS 143, the Company has concluded that a landfill’s asset retirement obligation includes estimates of all costs related to final capping, closure and post-closure. Costs associated with a landfill’s daily maintenance activities during the operating life of the landfill, such as leachate disposal, groundwater and gas monitoring, and other pollution control activities, are charged to expense as incurred. In addition, costs historically accounted for as capital expenditures during the operating life of a landfill, such as cell development costs, are capitalized when incurred, and charged to expense using life cycle accounting and the units-of-consumption method based on the consumption of cubic yards of available airspace.

     The Company defines final capping as activities required to permanently cover a portion of a landfill that has been completely filled with waste. Final capping occurs in phases throughout the life of a landfill as specific areas are filled to capacity and the final elevation for that specific area is reached in accordance with the provisions of the operating permit. The Company considers final capping events to be discrete activities that are recognized as asset retirement obligations separately from other closure and post-closure obligations. These capping events occur generally during the operating life of a landfill and can be associated with waste actually placed under an area to be capped. As a result, the Company uses a separate rate per ton for recognizing the principal amount of the liability associated with each capping event. The Company amortizes the asset recorded pursuant to this approach as waste volume equivalent to the capacity covered by the capping event is placed into the landfill based upon the consumption of cubic yards of available airspace covered by the capping event.

     The Company recognizes asset retirement obligations and the related amortization expense for closure and post-closure (excluding obligations for final capping) using the units-of-consumption method over the total remaining capacity of the landfill. The total remaining capacity includes probable expansion airspace.

     In general, the Company engages third parties to perform most of its final capping, closure and post-closure activities. Accordingly, the fair market value of these obligations is based upon quoted and actual prices paid for similar work. The Company does intend to perform some of its final capping, closure and post-closure obligations using internal resources. Where internal resources are expected to be used to fulfill an asset retirement obligation, the Company has added a profit margin onto the estimated cost of such services to better reflect their fair market value as required by SFAS 143. These services primarily relate to managing construction activities during final capping and maintenance activities during closure and post-closure. If the Company does perform these services internally, the added profit margin would be recognized as a component of operating income in the period the obligation is settled.

     SFAC 7 states that an estimate of fair value should include the price that marketplace participants are able to receive for bearing the uncertainties in cash flows. However, when utilizing discounted cash flow techniques, reliable estimates of market premiums may not be obtainable. In this situation, SFAC 7 indicates that it is not necessary to consider a market risk premium in the determination of expected cash flows. While the cost of asset retirement obligations associated with final capping, closure and post-closure can be quantified and estimated, there is not an active market that can be utilized to determine the fair value of these activities. In the case of the waste industry, no market exists for selling the responsibility for final capping, closure and post-closure independent of selling the landfill in its entirety. Accordingly, the Company believes that it is not possible to develop a methodology to reliably estimate a market risk premium and has excluded a market risk premium from its determination of expected cash flow for landfill asset retirement obligations in accordance with SFAC 7.

     The Company’s estimates of costs to discharge asset retirement obligations for landfills are developed in today’s dollars. These costs are inflated each year to reflect a normal escalation of prices up to the year they are expected to be paid. The Company uses a 2.5% inflation rate, which is based on a ten-year historical moving average of the U.S. Consumer Price Index and is the rate used by most waste industry participants.

     These estimated costs are then discounted to their present value using a credit-adjusted, risk-free rate. The Company’s credit-adjusted, risk-free rate for liability recognition was determined to be 6.1% and 6.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, based upon the estimated all-in yield the Company believes it would need to offer to sell thirty-year debt in the public market. Changes in asset retirement obligations due to the passage of time are measured by recognizing accretion expense in a manner that results in a constant effective interest rate applied to the average carrying amount of the liability. The effective interest rate used to calculate accretion expense is the Company’s credit-adjusted, risk-free rate.

     In accordance with SFAS 143, changes due to revision of the estimates of the amount or timing of the original undiscounted cash flows used to record a liability are recognized by increasing or decreasing the carrying amount of the asset retirement obligation liability and the carrying amount of the related asset. Upward revisions in the amount of undiscounted estimated cash flows used to record a liability must be discounted using the credit-adjusted, risk-free rate in effect at the time

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of the change. Downward revisions in the amount of undiscounted estimated cash flows used to record a liability must be discounted using the credit-adjusted, risk-free rate that existed when the original liability was recognized.

     The Company reviews its calculations with respect to landfill asset retirement obligations at least annually. If there is a significant change in the facts and circumstances related to a landfill during the year, the Company will review its calculations for the landfill as soon as practical after the significant change has occurred. During the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company completed its annual reviews and recorded net reductions of $5.0 million and $2.6 million, respectively, in amortization expense primarily related to changes in estimates and assumptions concerning the cost and timing of future final capping, closure and post-closure activities.

     The following table summarizes the activity in the Company’s asset retirement obligation liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004:

                 
    Three Months  
    Ended March 31,  
    2005     2004  
Asset retirement obligation liability, beginning of year
  $ 216.8     $ 204.7  
Additions incurred during the period
    4.7       4.4  
Revisions in estimates of future cash flows
    (5.7 )     (3.1 )
Acquisitions during the period
    3.3        
Amounts settled during the period
    (.2 )     (2.6 )
Accretion expense
    3.5       3.3  
 
           
Asset retirement obligation liability, end of period
    222.4       206.7  
Less: Current portion
    (14.4 )     (27.2 )
 
           
Long-term portion
  $ 208.0     $ 179.5  
 
           

     The fair value of assets that are legally restricted for purposes of settling final capping, closure and post-closure obligations was approximately $7.5 million at March 31, 2005, and are included as restricted cash in the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Remediation

     The Company accrues for remediation costs when they become probable and reasonably estimatable. Substantially all of the Company’s recorded remediation costs are for incremental landfill post-closure care required under approved remediation action plans for acquired landfills. Remediation costs are estimated by engineers based upon site remediation plans. These estimates do not take into account discounts for the present value of total estimated costs. Management believes that the amounts accrued for remediation costs are adequate. However, a significant increase in the estimated costs for remediation could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Environmental Costs

     In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to ongoing environmental investigations by certain regulatory agencies, as well as other claims and disputes that could result in litigation. Environmental costs are accrued by the Company through a charge to income in the period such liabilities become probable and can be reasonably estimated. No significant amounts were charged to expense during the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004.

3. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

     Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures for major additions and improvements are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. When property is retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

     The Company revises the estimated useful lives of property and equipment acquired through business acquisitions to conform with its policies regarding property and equipment. Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful lives of the assets involved using the straight-line method. The estimated useful lives are seven to forty years for buildings and improvements, five to twelve years for vehicles, seven to ten years for most landfill equipment, three to fifteen years for all other equipment, and five to twelve years for furniture and fixtures.

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     Landfills and landfill improvements are stated at cost and include direct costs incurred to obtain landfill permits and direct costs incurred to acquire, construct and develop sites. These costs are amortized or depleted based on consumed airspace. All indirect landfill development costs are expensed as incurred. (For further information, see Note 2, Accrued Landfill and Environmental Costs.)

     The Company capitalizes interest on landfill cell construction and other construction projects in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 34, “Capitalization of Interest Cost.” Construction projects must meet the following criteria before interest is capitalized:

  1.   Total construction costs are $50,000 or greater,
 
  2.   The construction phase is one month or longer, and
 
  3.   The assets have a useful life of one year or longer.

     Interest is capitalized on qualified assets while they undergo activities to ready them for their intended use. Capitalization of interest ceases once an asset is placed into service or if construction activity is suspended for more than a brief period of time. The interest capitalization rate is based upon the Company’s weighted average cost of indebtedness. Interest capitalized was $.2 million and $.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

     A summary of property and equipment is as follows:

                 
    March 31,     December 31,  
    2005     2004  
Other land
  $ 96.5     $ 97.9  
Non-depletable landfill land
    51.2       53.4  
Landfill development costs
    1,542.9       1,486.5  
Vehicles and equipment
    1,635.3       1,617.5  
Buildings and improvements
    283.6       287.0  
Construction-in-progress — landfill
    33.9       39.1  
Construction-in-progress — other
    7.9       7.4  
 
           
 
    3,651.3       3,588.8  
 
           
 
               
Less: Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization—
               
Landfill development costs
    (749.4 )     (742.9 )
Vehicles and equipment
    (789.2 )     (766.3 )
Building and improvements
    (72.9 )     (70.8 )
 
           
 
    (1,611.5 )     (1,580.0 )
 
           
Property and equipment, net
  $ 2,039.8     $ 2,008.8  
 
           

     The Company periodically evaluates whether events and circumstances have occurred that may warrant revision of the estimated useful life of property and equipment or whether the remaining balance of property and equipment should be evaluated for possible impairment. The following are examples of such events or changes in circumstances:

  •   A significant decrease in the market price of a long-lived asset or asset group,
 
  •   A significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which a long-lived asset or asset group is being used or in its physical condition,
 
  •   A significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate that could affect the value of a long-lived asset or asset group, including an adverse action or assessment by a regulator,
 
  •   An accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amount originally expected for the acquisition or construction of a long-lived asset or asset group,
 
  •   A current-period operating or cash flow loss combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses or a projection or forecast that demonstrates continuing losses associated with the use of a long-lived asset or asset group, or

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  •   A current expectation that, more likely than not, a long-lived asset or asset group will be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life.

     There are certain indicators listed above that require significant judgment and understanding of the waste industry when applied to landfill development or expansion. For example, a regulator may initially deny a landfill expansion permit application though the expansion permit is ultimately granted. In addition, management may periodically divert waste from one landfill to another to conserve remaining permitted landfill airspace. Therefore, certain events could occur in the ordinary course of business and not necessarily be considered indicators of impairment due to the unique nature of the waste industry.

     The Company uses an estimate of the related undiscounted cash flows over the remaining life of the property and equipment in assessing their recoverability. The Company measures impairment loss as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.

4. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

     The Company acquires businesses as part of its growth strategy. Businesses acquired are accounted for under the purchase method of accounting and are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements from the date of acquisition. The Company allocates the cost of the acquired business to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based on estimates of fair values thereof. These estimates are revised during the allocation period as necessary if, and when, information regarding contingencies becomes available to further define and quantify assets acquired and liabilities assumed. To the extent contingencies such as preacquisition environmental matters, litigation and related legal fees are resolved or settled during the allocation period, such items are included in the revised allocation of the purchase price. After the allocation period, the effect of changes in such contingencies is included in results of operations in the periods in which the adjustments are determined. The Company does not believe potential differences between its fair value estimates and actual fair values are material.

     The Company acquired various solid waste businesses during the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004. The aggregate purchase price paid by the Company in these transactions was $2.5 million and $1.2 million in cash, respectively. In addition, during the three months ended March 31, 2005, the Company entered into a $53.1 million capital lease related to a landfill. The businesses acquired during the three months ended March 31, 2005 did not materially impact the Company’s results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2005 or 2004 on a pro forma basis.

     The following summarizes the preliminary purchase price allocations for business combinations accounted for under the purchase method of accounting:

                 
    Three Months  
    Ended March 31,  
    2005     2004  
Property and equipment
  $ 56.2     $ .3  
Goodwill and other intangible assets
    3.1       1.9  
Working capital deficit
    (.4 )     (1.0 )
Debt
    (53.1 )      
Other liabilities
    (3.3 )      
 
           
Cash used in acquisitions, respectively
  $ 2.5     $ 1.2  
 
           

     Substantially all of the intangible assets recorded for these acquisitions are deductible for tax purposes.

     During the three months ended March 31, 2005, the Company divested of its operations in western New York and received proceeds of approximately $28.6 million. The Company recorded a gain of $2.7 million on the divestiture.

5. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

     Intangible assets consists of the cost of acquired businesses in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired and other intangible assets. Other intangible assets include values assigned to customer relationships, long-term contracts and covenants not to compete and are amortized generally over periods ranging from 3 to 25 years.

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     The following table summarizes the activity in intangible assets and the related accumulated amortization accounts for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2005:

                         
    Gross Intangible Assets  
    Goodwill     Other     Total  
Balance, December 31, 2003
  $ 1,701.6     $ 43.2     $ 1,744.8  
Acquisitions
    1.8       .1       1.9  
Other additions
          1.0       1.0  
 
                 
Balance, March 31, 2004
  $ 1,703.4     $ 44.3     $ 1,747.7  
 
                 
                         
    Accumulated Amortization  
    Goodwill     Other     Total  
Balance, December 31, 2003
  $ (143.4 )   $ (18.2 )   $ (161.6 )
Amortization expense
          (1.1 )     (1.1 )
 
                 
Balance, March 31, 2004
  $ (143.4 )   $ (19.3 )   $ (162.7 )
 
                 
                         
    Gross Intangible Assets  
    Goodwill     Other     Total  
Balance, December 31, 2004
  $ 1,706.1     $ 54.2     $ 1,760.3  
Acquisitions
    2.2       .9       3.1  
Divestitures
    (15.8 )           (15.8 )
Other additions
          .5       .5  
 
                 
Balance, March 31, 2005
  $ 1,692.5     $ 55.6     $ 1,748.1  
 
                 
                         
    Accumulated Amortization  
    Goodwill     Other     Total  
Balance, December 31, 2004
  $ (143.4 )   $ (24.0 )   $ (167.4 )
Amortization expense
          (1.4 )     (1.4 )
Divestitures
    1.4             1.4  
 
                 
Balance, March 31, 2005
  $ (142.0 )   $ (25.4 )   $ (167.4 )
 
                 

     In general, goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis. In testing for impairment, the Company estimates the fair value of each operating segment and compares the fair values with the carrying values. If the fair value of an operating segment is greater than its carrying value, then no impairment results. If the fair value is less than carrying value, then the Company would determine the fair value of the goodwill. The fair value of goodwill is determined by deducting the fair value of an operating segment’s identifiable assets and liabilities from the fair value of the operating segment as a whole, as if that operating segment had just been acquired and the purchase price were being initially allocated. If the fair value of the goodwill were less than its carrying value for a segment, an impairment charge would be recorded to earnings in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Income.

     In addition, the Company would evaluate an operating segment for impairment if events or circumstances change between annual tests indicating a possible impairment. Examples of such events or circumstances include:

  •   A significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate,
 
  •   An adverse action or assessment by a regulator,
 
  •   A more likely than not expectation that a segment or a significant portion thereof will be sold, or
 
  •   The testing for recoverability under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets,” of a significant asset group within the segment.

     The Company incurred no impairment of goodwill as a result of its annual goodwill impairment test in 2004. However, there can be no assurance that goodwill will not be impaired at any time in the future.

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6. DEBT

     Notes payable and long-term debt are as follows:

                 
    March 31,     December 31,  
    2005     2004  
$99.3 million and $375.0 million unsecured notes, net of unamortized discount of $.1 million and $.3 million as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively; interest payable semi-annually in May and November at 7.125%; principal due at maturity in 2009
  $ 99.2     $ 374.7  
$450.0 million unsecured notes, net of unamortized discount of $1.9 million and including $5.6 million and $.5 million of adjustments to fair market value as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively; interest payable semi-annually in February and August at 6.75%; principal due at maturity in 2011
    442.5       448.6  
$275.7 million unsecured notes, net of unamortized discount of $.2 million and including unamortized premium of $27.6 million as of March 31, 2005; interest payable semi-annually in March and September at 6.086%; principal due at maturity in 2035
    247.9        
$750.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility; interest payable using LIBOR-based rates; $300.0 million matures June 2005 and $450.0 million matures in 2007
           
Tax-exempt bonds and other tax-exempt financing; fixed and floating interest rates based on prevailing market rates; maturities ranging from 2005 to 2037
    526.5       527.3  
Other debt; unsecured and secured by real property, equipment and other assets
    55.3       3.7  
 
           
 
    1,371.4       1,354.3  
Less: Current portion
    (20.4 )     (2.4 )
 
           
Long-term portion
  $ 1,351.0     $ 1,351.9  
 
           

     As of March 31, 2005, the Company had $374.2 million of availability under its revolving credit facility. The unsecured revolving credit facility requires the Company to maintain certain financial ratios and comply with certain financial covenants. At March 31, 2005, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants under these agreements.

     As of March 31, 2005, the Company had $224.1 million of restricted cash, of which $106.4 million were proceeds from the issuance of tax-exempt bonds and other tax-exempt financing that will be used to fund capital expenditures. Restricted cash also includes amounts held in trust as a guarantee of the Company’s performance.

     Interest paid was $25.4 million (net of $.2 million of capitalized interest) and $15.4 million (net of $.4 million of capitalized interest) for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

     During the three months ended March 31, 2005, the Company exchanged $275.7 million of its outstanding 7.125% notes due 2009 for new notes due 2035. The new notes bear interest at 6.086%. The Company paid a premium of $27.6 million in connection with the exchange. This premium will be amortized over the life of the new notes using the effective yield method.

     Other debt includes a $53.1 million capital lease related to a landfill that the company entered into during the three months ended March 31, 2005.

     The Company’s ability to obtain financing through the capital markets is a key component of its financial strategy. Historically, the Company has managed risk associated with executing this strategy, particularly as it relates to fluctuations in interest rates, by using a combination of fixed and floating rate debt. The Company has also entered into interest rate swap agreements to manage risk associated with fluctuations in interest rates and to take advantage of favorable floating interest rates. The swap agreements have total notional values of $225.0 million and $210.0 million. Swap agreements with a notional value of $225.0 million matured in May 2004, and agreements with a notional value of $210.0 million mature in August 2011. These maturities are identical to the Company’s public notes that were sold in 1999 and 2001, respectively. Under the swap agreements, the Company pays interest at floating rates based on changes in LIBOR and receives interest at fixed rates

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of 6.625% and 6.75%, respectively. The Company has designated these agreements as hedges in changes in the fair value of the Company’s fixed-rate debt and accounts for them in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS 133”). The Company has determined that these agreements qualify for the short-cut method under SFAS 133 and, therefore, changes in the fair value of the agreements are assumed to be perfectly effective in hedging changes in the fair value of the Company’s fixed rate debt due to changes in interest rates.

     As of March 31, 2005, interest rate swap agreements are reflected at fair market value of $5.6 million and are included in other liabilities and as adjustments to long-term debt in the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company recorded net interest income of $.6 million and $2.5 million, respectively, related to its interest rate swap agreements which is included in interest expense in the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

7. INCOME TAXES

     Income taxes have been provided for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 based upon the Company’s anticipated annual effective income tax rate of 38.0%. Income taxes paid (net of refunds received) were $2.4 million and $(28.6) million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

8. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

     In July 1998, the Company adopted the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (“Stock Incentive Plan”) to provide for grants of options to purchase shares of common stock, restricted stock and other equity-based compensation (“Equity-Based Compensation Units”) to employees and non-employee directors of the Company who are eligible to participate in the Stock Incentive Plan. As of March 31, 2005, 4.3 million Equity-Based Compensation Units remain available under the Stock Incentive Plan for future grants.

     The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”), and related interpretations. Stock options are granted at prices equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant; therefore, no compensation expense is recognized. Compensation expense resulting from grants of restricted stock or stock units is recognized during the vesting period.

     Options granted under the Stock Incentive Plan are non-qualified and are granted at a price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant. Generally, options granted have a term of ten years from the date of grant, and vest in increments of 25% per year over a four year period beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date. Options granted to non-employee directors have a term of ten years and are fully vested at the grant date. During the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company awarded 24,000 and 20,000, respectively, deferred stock units to its non-employee directors under its Stock Incentive Plan. The Company also awarded 5,000 deferred stock units to a new non-employee director during the three months ended December 31, 2004. These stock units vest immediately but the directors receive the underlying shares only after their board service ends. The stock units do not carry any voting or dividend rights, except the right to receive additional stock units in lieu of dividends.

     Also during the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company awarded 82,000 and 79,500, respectively, shares of restricted stock to its executive officers. 10,000 of the shares awarded during 2005 vest effective January 1, 2006 and 43,500 of the shares awarded during 2004 vested during the three months ended March 31, 2005. The remaining 72,000 and 36,000 shares awarded during 2005 and 2004, respectively, vest in four equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant except that vesting may be accelerated based upon the achievement of certain performance targets. During the vesting period, the participants have voting rights and receive dividends, but the shares may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered. Additionally, granted but unvested shares are forfeited upon termination of employment.

     The fair value of stock units and restricted shares on the date of grant is amortized ratably over the vesting period, or the accelerated vesting period if certain performance targets are achieved. During the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, compensation expense related to stock units and restricted shares of $1.1 million and $.7 million, respectively, was recorded in the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. $3.1 million, representing the unamortized balance of unearned compensation on restricted stock, is included as a separate component of stockholders’

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equity in the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. No other stock units or restricted shares were granted during the three months ended March 31, 2005.

     A summary of equity-based compensation activity for the three months ended March 31, 2005 is as follows:

                 
    Equity-Based     Weighted-Average  
    Compensation Units     Exercise Price  
Outstanding at beginning of year
    11.1     $ 17.17  
Granted
    1.8       29.02  
Exercised
    (.4 )     17.85  
Cancelled
    (.1 )     21.60  
 
           
Outstanding at March 31, 2005
    12.4     $ 20.01  
 
           
Exercisable at March 31, 2005
    8.0     $ 17.48  
 
           

     Had compensation cost for stock option grants under the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan been determined pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”), the Company’s net income would have decreased accordingly. Using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, the Company’s pro forma net income and earnings per share, with related assumptions, are as follows:

                 
    Three Months  
    Ended March 31,  
    2005     2004  
Net income, as reported
  $ 65.5     $ 56.9  
Adjustments to net earnings for :
               
Stock-based compensation expense included in net income, net of tax
    .7       .4  
Proforma stock-based employee compensation expense pursuant to SFAS 123, net of tax
    (2.7 )     (2.5 )
 
           
Net income, pro forma
  $ 63.5     $ 54.8  
 
           
Basic earnings per share-
               
As reported
  $ .44     $ .36  
 
           
Pro forma
  $ .43     $ .35  
 
           
Diluted earnings per share-
               
As reported
  $ .43     $ .36  
 
           
Pro forma
  $ .42     $ .35  
 
           
Assumptions -
               
Risk-free interest rates
    3.6 %     3.2 %
Dividend yield
    1.6 %     .9 %
Expected lives
  5 years   5 years
Expected volatility
    30 %     40 %

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9. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND EARNINGS PER SHARE

     During 2000 through 2004, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $1,025.0 million of the Company’s common stock. As of March 31, 2005, the Company had repurchased a total of 41.1 million shares of its stock for $939.5 million, of which 5.9 million shares were acquired during the three months ended March 31, 2005 for $189.1 million. In April 2005, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional $500.0 million of the Company’s common stock.

     In July 2003, the Company announced that its Board of Directors initiated a quarterly cash dividend of $.06 per share. The dividend was increased to $.12 per share in the third quarter of 2004. In January 2005, the Company paid a dividend of $18.1 million to stockholders of record as of January 3, 2005. As of March 31, 2005, the Company recorded a dividend payable of $17.4 million to stockholders of record at the close of business on April 1, 2005. In April 2005, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $.12 per share payable to stockholders of record on July 1, 2005.

     Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares (including deferred stock units) outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is based on the combined weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding which include, where appropriate, the assumed exercise of employee stock options and unvested restricted stock awards. In computing diluted earnings per share, the Company utilizes the treasury stock method.

     Earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 is calculated as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

                 
    Three Months  
    Ended March 31,  
    2005     2004  
Numerator:
               
Net income
  $ 65,500     $ 56,900  
 
           
Denominator:
               
Denominator for basic earnings per share
    148,168       156,040  
Effect of dilutive securities —
               
Options to purchase common stock
    2,787       2,336  
Unvested restricted stock awards
    5       2  
 
           
Denominator for diluted earnings per share
    150,960       158,378  
 
           
Basic earnings per share
  $ .44     $ .36  
 
           
Diluted earnings per share
  $ .43     $ .36  
 
           
 
               
Antidilutive securities not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation:
               
Options to purchase common stock
    8       22  
Weighted average exercise price
  $ 33.88     $ 31.20  

10. OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

     At March 31, 2005, the Company had $38.9 million of restricted marketable securities held as financial guarantees. These securities consist of mutual funds invested in short-term investment grade securities, including mortgage-backed securities and U.S. Government obligations. These securities are available for sale and, as a result, are stated at fair value based on quoted market prices. During the three months ended March 31, 2005, the Company recorded an unrealized gain, net of tax, of $.1 million to other comprehensive income related to the change in fair value of these securities.

     During March 2005, the Company entered into option agreements related to forecasted diesel fuel purchases. Under SFAS 133, the options qualified for and were designated as effective hedges of changes in the prices of forecasted diesel fuel purchases. These option agreements settle each month in equal notional amounts through December 2005. In accordance with SFAS 133, $1.1 million representing the effective portion of the change in fair value for the three months ended March 31, 2005, net of tax, has been recorded in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value was not material for the three months ended March 31, 2005, and has been included in other income (expense), net in the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

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     Realized gains of $.2 million related to these option agreements are included in cost of operations in the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2005.

     During the three months ended March 31, 2005, the Company offered to exchange a portion of its outstanding 7.125% notes due 2009 for new notes due 2035. To protect against fluctuations in the forecasted receipt of proceeds resulting from the issuance of thirty-year, fixed rate debt due to changes in the benchmark U.S. Treasury rate, the Company entered into treasury lock agreements. In accordance with SFAS 133, these agreements were determined to be highly effective in offsetting changes in cash proceeds to be received upon issuance of the notes. Upon termination of these agreements in March 2005, the Company recorded a gain of $2.4 million, net of tax, in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. This gain will be amortized into interest expense over the life of the new notes using the effective yield method.

11. SEGMENT INFORMATION

     The Company’s operations are managed and evaluated through five regions: Eastern, Central, Southern, Southwestern and Western. These five regions are presented below as the Company’s reportable segments. These reportable segments provide integrated waste management services consisting of collection, transfer and disposal of domestic non-hazardous solid waste.

     Summarized financial information concerning the Company’s reportable segments for the respective three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 is shown in the following table:

                                                         
                            Depreciation,                    
                            Amortization,                    
    Gross     Intercompany     Net     Depletion and     Operating     Capital     Total  
2005   Revenue     Revenue (b)     Revenue     Accretion     Income     Expenditures     Assets  
Eastern Region
  $ 152.9     $ (23.3 )   $ 129.6     $ 10.5     $ 22.6     $ 3.9     $ 845.3  
Central Region
    167.2       (36.2 )     131.0       18.0       21.8       7.3       1,071.1  
Southern Region
    193.3       (20.5 )     172.8       17.9       31.0       9.7       870.0  
Southwestern Region
    85.2       (8.0 )     77.2       3.4       15.6       4.8       461.4  
Western Region
    202.6       (38.7 )     163.9       13.9       38.4       8.5       807.2  
Corporate Entities (a)
    2.7             2.7       .9       (9.9 )     16.0       326.0  
 
                                         
Total
  $ 803.9     $ (126.7 )   $ 677.2     $ 64.6     $ 119.5     $ 50.2     $ 4,381.0  
 
                                         
                                                         
                            Depreciation,                    
                            Amortization,                    
    Gross     Intercompany     Net     Depletion and     Operating     Capital     Total  
2004   Revenue     Revenue (b)     Revenue     Accretion     Income     Expenditures     Assets  
Eastern Region
  $ 150.8     $ (23.3 )   $ 127.5     $ 10.1     $ 19.0     $ 7.4     $ 824.6  
Central Region
    160.3       (34.0 )     126.3       18.4       22.2       8.6       958.0  
Southern Region
    176.6       (18.9 )     157.7       14.9       29.1       8.8       856.8  
Southwestern Region
    82.1       (8.1 )     74.0       8.2       10.9       4.3       408.4  
Western Region
    188.4       (36.8 )     151.6       8.6       42.5       2.0       784.1  
Corporate Entities (a)
    .2             .2       1.1       (13.7 )     7.7       713.4  
 
                                         
Total
  $ 758.4     $ (121.1 )   $ 637.3     $ 61.3     $ 110.0     $ 38.8     $ 4,545.3  
 
                                         


(a)   Corporate functions include legal, tax, treasury, information technology, risk management, human resources, national accounts and other typical administrative functions.
 
(b)   Intercompany revenue reflects transactions within and between segments and are generally made on a basis intended to reflect the market value of such services.

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     Total revenue of the Company by revenue source for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 is as follows:

                 
    Three Months  
    Ended March 31,  
    2005     2004  
Collection:
               
Residential
  $ 166.6     $ 157.1  
Commercial
    189.4       182.6  
Industrial
    136.9       129.5  
Other
    15.2       13.8  
 
           
Total collection
    508.1       483.0  
 
           
Transfer and disposal
    249.5       233.2  
Less: Intercompany
    (125.5 )     (120.4 )
 
           
Transfer and disposal, net
    124.0       112.8  
Other
    45.1       41.5  
 
           
Total revenue
  $ 677.2     $ 637.3  
 
           

12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings

     The Company is a party to various general legal proceedings which have arisen in the ordinary course of business. While the results of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, the Company believes that losses, if any, resulting from the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, unfavorable resolution could affect the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows for the quarterly periods in which they are resolved.

Lease Commitments

     The Company and its subsidiaries lease real property, equipment and software under various operating leases with terms from one month to twenty-five years.

Unconditional Purchase Commitments

     The Company has various unconditional purchase commitments, consisting primarily of long-term disposal agreements, that require the Company to dispose of a minimum number of tons at certain third party facilities.

Liability Insurance

     The Company carries general liability, vehicle liability, employment practices liability, pollution liability, directors and officers liability, workers compensation and employer’s liability coverage, as well as umbrella liability policies to provide excess coverage over the underlying limits contained in these primary policies. The Company also carries property insurance.

     The Company’s insurance programs for worker’s compensation, general liability, vehicle liability and employee-related health care benefits are effectively self-insured. Claims in excess of self-insurance levels are fully insured subject to policy limits. Accruals are based on claims filed and estimates of claims incurred but not reported.

     The Company’s liabilities for unpaid and incurred but not reported claims at March 31, 2005 were $148.0 million and are included in other current and other liabilities in the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. While the ultimate amount of claims incurred is dependent on future developments, in management’s opinion, recorded reserves are adequate to cover the future payment of claims. However, it is reasonably possible that recorded reserves may not be adequate to cover future payment of claims. Adjustments, if any, to estimates recorded resulting from ultimate claim payments will be reflected in operations in the periods in which such adjustments are known.

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Guarantees of Subsidiary Debt

     The Company has guaranteed the tax-exempt bonds of its subsidiaries. If a subsidiary fails to meet its obligations associated with tax-exempt bonds as they come due, the Company will be required to perform under the related guarantee agreement. No additional liability has been recorded for these guarantees because the underlying obligations are reflected in the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. (For further information, see Note 6, Debt).

Restricted Cash and Marketable Securities, and Other Financial Guarantees

     In the normal course of business, the Company is required by regulatory agencies, governmental entities and contract parties to post performance bonds, letters of credit and/or cash deposits as financial guarantees of the Company’s performance. At March 31, 2005, letters of credit totaling $494.2 million were outstanding, and surety bonds totaling $428.6 million were outstanding, which will expire on various dates through 2015.

     At March 31, 2005, the Company had $224.1 million of restricted cash deposits and $38.9 million of restricted marketable securities held as financial guarantees, including $106.4 million of restricted cash held for capital expenditures under certain debt facilities, and $34.5 million and $38.9 million of restricted cash and restricted marketable securities, respectively, pledged to regulatory agencies and governmental entities as financial guarantees of the Company’s performance related to its final capping, closure and post-closure obligations at its landfills. The Company’s restricted marketable securities consist of mutual funds invested in short-term investment grade securities, including mortgage-backed securities and U.S. Government obligations. These securities are available for sale and, as a result, are stated at fair value based upon quoted market prices. Unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income.

Other Matters

     The Company’s business activities are conducted in the context of a developing and changing statutory and regulatory framework. Governmental regulation of the waste management industry requires the Company to obtain and retain numerous governmental permits to conduct various aspects of its operations. These permits are subject to revocation, modification or denial. The costs and other capital expenditures which may be required to obtain or retain the applicable permits or comply with applicable regulations could be significant. Any revocation, modification or denial of permits could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

     Through the date of the Company’s initial public offering in July 1998, the Company filed consolidated federal income tax returns with AutoNation, Inc. (“AutoNation”), its former parent company. The Internal Revenue Service is auditing AutoNation’s consolidated tax returns for fiscal years 1997 through 1998. In accordance with the Company’s tax sharing agreement with AutoNation, the Company may be liable for certain assessments imposed by the Internal Revenue Service for the periods through June 1998, resulting from this audit. In addition, the Internal Revenue Service is auditing the Company’s consolidated tax returns for fiscal years 1998 through 2003. Management believes that the tax liabilities recorded are adequate. However, a significant assessment in excess of liabilities recorded against the Company could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included under Item 1. In addition, reference should be made to our audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto and related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations appearing in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

Our Business

     We are a leading provider of non-hazardous solid waste collection and disposal services in the United States. We provide solid waste collection services for commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers through 138 collection companies in 21 states. We also own or operate 92 transfer stations and 59 solid waste landfills.

     We generate revenue primarily from our solid waste collection operations. Our remaining revenue is obtained from landfill disposal services and other services, including recycling, remediation and composting operations.

     The following table reflects our total revenue by source in millions of dollars and as a percentage of our revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004:

                                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,  
    2005     2004  
Collection:
                               
Residential
  $ 166.6       24.6 %   $ 157.1       24.6 %
Commercial
    189.4       28.0       182.6       28.7  
Industrial
    136.9       20.2       129.5       20.3  
Other
    15.2       2.2       13.8       2.2  
 
                       
Total collection
    508.1       75.0       483.0       75.8  
 
                           
 
                               
Transfer and disposal
    249.5               233.2          
Less: Intercompany
    (125.5 )             (120.4 )        
 
                           
Transfer and disposal, net
    124.0       18.3       112.8       17.7  
 
                               
Other
    45.1       6.7       41.5       6.5  
 
                       
Total revenue
  $ 677.2       100.0 %   $ 637.3       100.0 %
 
                       

     Our revenue from collection operations consists of fees we receive from commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers. Our residential and commercial collection operations in some markets are based on long-term contracts with municipalities. We generally provide industrial and commercial collection services to individual customers under contracts with terms up to three years. Our revenue from landfill operations is from disposal or tipping fees charged to third parties. In general, we integrate our recycling operations with our collection operations and obtain revenue from the sale of recyclable materials. No one customer has individually accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated revenue or of our reportable segment revenue in any of the periods presented.

     The cost of our collection operations is primarily variable and includes disposal, labor, self-insurance, fuel and equipment maintenance costs. We seek operating efficiencies by controlling the movement of waste from the point of collection through disposal. During the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, approximately 55% and 54%, respectively, of the total volume of waste we collected was disposed of at landfills we own or operate.

     Our landfill cost of operations includes daily operating expenses, costs of capital for cell development, costs for final capping, closure and post-closure, and the legal and administrative costs of ongoing environmental compliance. Daily operating expenses include leachate treatment and disposal, methane gas and groundwater monitoring and systems maintenance, interim cap maintenance, and costs associated with the application of daily cover materials. We expense all indirect landfill development costs as they are incurred. We use life cycle accounting and the units-of-consumption method to recognize certain direct landfill costs related to cell development. In life cycle accounting, certain direct costs are capitalized, and charged to expense based upon the consumption of cubic yards of available airspace. These costs include all costs to

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acquire and construct a site including excavation, natural and synthetic liners, construction of leachate collection systems, installation of methane gas collection and monitoring systems, installation of groundwater monitoring wells, and other costs associated with the acquisition and development of the site. Obligations associated with final capping, closure and post-closure are capitalized, and amortized on a unit-of-consumption basis as airspace is consumed.

     Cost and airspace estimates are developed annually by engineers. These estimates are used by our operating and accounting personnel to annually adjust our rates used to expense capitalized costs. Changes in these estimates primarily relate to changes in available airspace, inflation and applicable regulations. Changes in available airspace include changes due to the addition of airspace lying in expansion areas that we believe have a probable likelihood of being permitted.

     Our operations are managed and reviewed through five regions that we designate as our reportable segments. From 2004 to 2005, operating income increased in our Eastern, Southern and Southwestern regions due to an overall increase in revenue resulting from the successful execution of our growth strategy. In the Central region, increased revenue was offset by weak economic conditions. In the Western region, revenue growth was offset by higher landfill depletion costs. The decrease in costs for Corporate Entities from 2004 to 2005 is primarily due to a decrease in insurance expense.

Business Combinations

     We make decisions to acquire or invest in businesses based on financial and strategic considerations. Businesses acquired are accounted for under the purchase method of accounting and are included in our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements from the date of acquisition.

     We acquired various solid waste businesses during the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004. The aggregate purchase price we paid in these transactions was $2.5 million and $1.2 million in cash, respectively. In addition, during the three months ended March 31, 2005, the Company entered into a $53.1 million capital lease related to a landfill.

     We divested of our operations in western New York during the three months ended March 31, 2005 and received proceeds of approximately $28.6 million. A gain of $2.7 million was recorded on the divestiture.

     See Note 4, Business Combinations, of the Notes to our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, for further discussion of business combinations.

Consolidated Results of Operations

     Our net income was $65.5 million, or $.43 per diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2005, as compared to $56.9 million, or $.36 per diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2004.

     The following table summarizes our costs and expenses in millions of dollars and as a percentage of our revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004:

                                 
    Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2005     2004  
Revenue
  $ 677.2       100.0 %   $ 637.3       100.0 %
Expenses:
                               
Cost of operations
    418.7       61.8       403.5       63.3  
Depreciation, amortization and depletion of property and equipment
    59.4       8.8       56.7       8.9  
Amortization of intangible and other assets
    1.7       .3       1.3       .2  
Accretion
    3.5       .5       3.3       .5  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    74.4       11.0       62.5       9.8  
 
                       
Operating income
  $ 119.5       17.6 %   $ 110.0       17.3 %
 
                       

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     Revenue. Revenue was $677.2 million and $637.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, an increase of 6.3%. The following table reflects the components of our revenue growth for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004:

                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,  
    2005     2004  
Core price
    2.3 %     2.3 %
Fuel surcharges
    .5       .1  
Recycling commodities
    .2       .5  
 
           
Total price
    3.0       2.9  
 
           
 
               
Core volume
    2.4       3.5  
Non-core volume
          (.2 )
 
           
Total volume
    2.4       3.3  
 
           
 
               
Total internal growth
    5.4       6.2  
 
               
Acquisitions and divestitures, net
    .9       1.0  
 
           
 
               
Total revenue growth
    6.3 %     7.2 %
 
           

     During the three months ended March 31, 2005, our revenue growth from core pricing continued to benefit from a broad-based pricing initiative which we started during the fourth quarter of 2003. We anticipate that we will continue to realize this benefit throughout 2005. During the three months ended March 31, 2005, we experienced core volume growth in all lines of our business including our residential collection, commercial, industrial and landfill businesses.

     Cost of Operations. Cost of operations was $418.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005, versus $403.5 million for the comparable 2004 period. Cost of operations as a percentage of revenue was 61.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2005 versus 63.3% for the comparable 2004 period.

     The following table summarizes the major components of our cost of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 in millions of dollars and as a percentage of our revenue:

                                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,  
    2005     2004  
Subcontractor, disposal and third party fees
  $ 157.3       23.2 %   $ 151.4       23.8 %
Labor and benefits
    133.7       19.7       128.6       20.2  
Maintenance and operating
    91.7       13.6       81.5       12.7  
Insurance and other
    36.0       5.3       42.0       6.6  
 
                       
Total
  $ 418.7       61.8 %   $ 403.5       63.3 %
 
                       

     A description of our cost categories is as follows:

  •   Subcontractor, disposal and third party fees include costs such as third-party disposal, transportation of waste, host fees and cost of goods sold.
 
  •   Labor and benefits include costs such as wages, salaries, payroll taxes and health benefits for our frontline service employees and their supervisors.
 
  •   Maintenance and operating includes costs such as fuel, parts, shop labor and benefits, third-party repairs, and landfill monitoring and operating.
 
  •   Insurance and other includes costs such as workers compensation, auto and general liability insurance, property taxes, property maintenance, and utilities.

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     The cost categories shown above may change from time to time and may not be comparable to similarly titled categories used by other companies. As such, care should be taken when comparing our cost of operations by cost component to those of other companies.

     The increase in aggregate dollars is primarily a result of the expansion of our business through internal growth. The decrease in cost of operations as a percentage of revenue is primarily attributable to higher self-insurance expense in the three months ended March 31, 2005. Self-insurance expense was $38.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 versus $44.2 million for the comparable 2004 period. The decrease in self-insurance expense during the current period relates primarily to our continued focus on safety and positive development in our actuarially developed self-insurance reserves. The decrease in cost of operations as a percentage of revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2005 versus the comparable 2004 period is also attributable to lower labor, disposal and subcontracting costs resulting from one less work day during the current period, improved pricing in all lines of our business, and continued focus on productivity improvements. These decreases in costs were partially offset by an increase in fuel prices.

     Depreciation, Amortization and Depletion of Property and Equipment. Expenses for depreciation, amortization and depletion of property and equipment were $59.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005, versus $56.7 million for the comparable 2004 period. Expenses for depreciation, amortization and depletion of property and equipment as a percentage of revenue were 8.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2005, versus 8.9% for the comparable 2004 period. The increase in such expenses in aggregate dollars is primarily due to the expansion of our business. The decrease in such expenses as a percentage of revenue for the three month periods presented is due to a reduction in landfill amortization expense we recorded during the first quarter of 2005 related to the annual review of our calculations with respect to landfill asset retirement obligations.

     Amortization of Intangible Assets. Expenses for amortization of intangible assets were $1.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005, versus $1.3 million for the comparable 2004 period. Amortization of intangible assets as a percentage of revenue was .3% for the three months ended March 31, 2005, versus .2% for the comparable 2004 period. The increase in such expenses in aggregate dollars and as a percentage of revenue is primarily due to the amortization of intangible assets associated with businesses acquired in 2004.

     Accretion Expense. Accretion expense was $3.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005, versus $3.3 million for the comparable 2004 period. Accretion expense as a percentage of revenue was .5% for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004. The increase in such expenses in aggregate dollars is primarily due to the expansion of our landfill operations.

     Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $74.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005, versus $62.5 million for the comparable 2004 period. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue were 11.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2005, versus 9.8% for the comparable 2004 period. The increase in such expenses in aggregate dollars and as a percentage of revenue is primarily due to approximately $3.0 million of costs incurred during the first quarter of 2005 associated with the exchange of unsecured notes, increased incentive compensation costs and higher professional fees. Management believes selling, general and administrative costs as a percentage of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2005 will be approximately ten percent.

     Interest Expense. Interest expense relates primarily to borrowings under our unsecured notes and tax-exempt bonds. Interest expense was $19.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 versus $20.7 million for the comparable 2004 period. In May 2004, $225.0 million of public notes matured and were repaid resulting in a reduction in interest expense.

     Capitalized interest was $.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005, versus $.4 million for the comparable 2004 period.

     Interest and Other Income (Expense), Net. Interest and other income, net of other expense, was $6.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 versus $2.5 million for the comparable 2004 period. The increase in aggregate dollars versus the comparable period last year is primarily due to a gain recorded on the divestiture of operations in western New York.

     Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes was $40.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005, versus $34.9 million for the comparable 2004 period. Our effective income tax rate was 38.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004. Income taxes have been provided based upon our anticipated annual effective tax rate.

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Landfill and Environmental Matters

Available Airspace

     The following table reflects landfill airspace activity for landfills owned or operated by us for the three months ended March 31, 2005:

                                                         
            Landfills                                    
            Acquired,                                    
    Balance as of     net of     New             Changes in             Balance as of  
    December 31,     Divested or     Expansions     Airspace     Engineering     Changes in     March 31,  
    2004     Closed     Undertaken     Consumed     Estimates     Design     2005  
Permitted airspace:
                                                       
Cubic yards (in millions)
    1,529.6       17.9             (10.1 )     7.4       1.6       1,546.4  
Number of sites
    58       1                                     59  
Expansion airspace:
                                                       
Cubic yards (in millions)
    222.2             8.3             (.3 )     .2       230.4  
Number of sites
    12             1                               13  
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Total available airspace:
                                                       
Cubic yards (in millions)
    1,751.8       17.9       8.3       (10.1 )     7.1       1.8       1,776.8  
 
                                         
Number of active sites
    58       1                                       59  
 
                                                 

     Changes in engineering estimates typically include minor modifications to available disposal capacity of a landfill based on a refinement of the capacity calculations resulting from updated information. Changes in design typically include significant modifications to a landfill’s footprint or vertical slopes.

     During 2005, total available airspace increased by 25.0 million cubic yards primarily due to the acquisition of a landfill.

     As of March 31, 2005, we owned or operated 59 solid waste landfills with total available disposal capacity estimated to be 1.8 billion in-place cubic yards. Total available disposal capacity represents the sum of estimated permitted airspace plus an estimate of probable expansion airspace. These estimates are developed annually by engineers utilizing information provided by annual aerial surveys. As of March 31, 2005, total available disposal capacity is estimated to be 1.6 billion in-place cubic yards of permitted airspace plus .2 billion in-place cubic yards of probable expansion airspace. Before airspace included in an expansion area is determined to be probable expansion airspace and, therefore, included in our calculation of total available disposal capacity, it must meet our expansion criteria. See Note 2, Accrued Landfill and Environmental Costs, of the Notes to our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

     As of March 31, 2005, thirteen of our landfills meet the criteria for including expansion airspace in their total available disposal capacity. At projected annual volumes, these thirteen landfills have an estimated remaining average site life of 30 years, including the expansion airspace. The average estimated remaining life of all of our landfills is 30 years.

Final Capping, Closure and Post-Closure Costs

     As of March 31, 2005, accrued final capping, closure and post-closure costs were $222.4 million. The current portion of these costs of $14.4 million is reflected in our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in other current liabilities. The long-term portion of these costs of $208.0 million is reflected in our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in accrued landfill and environmental costs.

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Investment in Landfills

     The following table reflects changes in our investments in landfills for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and the future expected investment as of March 31, 2005 (in millions):

                                 
    Balance as of             Transfers     Landfills  
    December 31,     Capital     and     Acquired, Net of  
    2004     Additions     Adjustments     Divestitures  
Non-depletable landfill land
  $ 53.4     $     $ (2.2 )   $  
Landfill development costs
    1,486.5       .1       13.4       59.1  
Construction in progress — landfill
    39.1       4.9       (10.1 )      
Accumulated depletion and amortization
    (742.9 )                 (2.8 )
 
                       
Net investment in landfill land and development costs
  $ 836.1     $ 5.0     $ 1.1     $ 56.3  
 
                       
                                                 
    Non-Cash     Revisions                          
    Additions     in                          
    for Asset     Estimates     Additions     Balance as of     Expected     Total  
    Retirement     of Future     Charged to     March 31,     Future     Expected  
    Obligations     Cash Flows     Expense     2005     Investment     Investment  
Non-depletable landfill land
  $     $     $     $ 51.2     $     $ 51.2  
Landfill development costs
    4.7       (20.9 )           1,542.9       1,597.5       3,140.4  
Construction in progress — landfill
                      33.9             33.9  
Accumulated depletion and amortization
          15.2       (18.9 )     (749.4 )           (749.4 )
 
                                   
Net investment in landfill land and development costs
  $ 4.7     $ (5.7 )   $ (18.9 )   $ 878.6     $ 1,597.5     $ 2,476.1  
 
                                   

     The following table reflects our net investment in our landfills, excluding non-depletable land and our depletion, amortization and accretion expense for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004:

                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,  
    2005     2004  
Number of landfills owned or operated
    59       57  
 
Net investment, excluding non-depletable land (in millions)
  $ 827.4     $ 743.4  
Total estimated available disposal capacity (in millions of cubic yards)
    1,776.8       1,759.9  
 
           
Net investment per cubic yard
  $ .47     $ .42  
 
           
 
               
Landfill depletion and amortization expense (in millions)
  $ 18.9     $ 19.6  
Accretion expense (in millions)
    3.5       3.3  
 
           
 
    22.4       22.9  
Airspace consumed (in millions of cubic yards)
    10.1       9.3  
 
           
Depletion, amortization and accretion expense per cubic yard of airspace consumed
  $ 2.22     $ 2.46  
 
           

     During the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, our weighted average compaction rate was approximately 1,500 pounds per cubic yard.

     As of March 31, 2005, we expect to spend an estimated additional $1.6 billion on existing landfills, primarily related to cell construction, over their expected remaining lives. Our total expected gross investment, excluding non-depletable land, estimated to be $2.4 billion, or $1.36 per cubic yard, is used in determining our depletion and amortization expense based upon airspace consumed using the units-of-consumption method.

     We accrue costs related to environmental remediation activities through a charge to income in the period such liabilities become probable and can be reasonably estimated. We also accrue costs related to environmental remediation activities associated with properties acquired through business combinations as a charge to costs in excess of fair value of net assets acquired or landfill purchase price allocated to airspace, as appropriate. No material amounts were charged to expense during the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004.

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Financial Condition

     At March 31, 2005, we had $224.1 million of restricted cash deposits and $38.9 million of restricted marketable securities held as financial guarantees, including $106.4 million of restricted cash held for capital expenditures under certain debt facilities, and $34.5 million and $38.9 million of restricted cash and restricted marketable securities, respectively, pledged to various regulatory agencies and governmental entities as financial guarantees of our performance related to final capping, closure and post-closure obligations at our landfills. Restricted marketable securities consist of mutual funds invested in short-term investment grade securities, including mortgage-backed securities and U.S. Government obligations. These securities are available for sale and, as a result, are stated at fair value based upon quoted market prices. Unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income.

     We have a $750.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility with a group of banks, $300.0 million of which expires in June 2005 and $450.0 million of which expires July 2007. Borrowings under the credit facility bear interest at LIBOR-based rates. We use our operating cash flow and proceeds from our credit facilities to finance our working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, share repurchases, dividends and other requirements. As of March 31, 2005, we had $374.2 million available under the credit facility.

     In May 1999, we sold $600.0 million of unsecured notes in the public market. $225.0 million of these notes bore interest at 6.625% per annum and matured in May 2004. The remaining $375.0 million bear interest at 7.125% per annum and mature in 2009. Interest on these notes is payable semi-annually in May and November. The $225.0 million and $375.0 million in notes were offered at a discount of $1.0 million and $.5 million, respectively. Proceeds from the notes were used to repay our revolving credit facility.

     In August 2001, we sold $450.0 million of unsecured notes in the public market. The notes bear interest at 6.75% and mature in 2011. Interest on these notes is payable semi-annually in February and August. The notes were offered at a discount of $2.6 million. Proceeds from the notes were used to repay our revolving credit facility.

     In March 2005, we exchanged $275.7 million of our outstanding 7.125% notes due 2009 for new notes due 2035. The new notes bear interest at 6.086%. We paid a premium of $27.6 million related to the exchange. This premium will be amortized over the life of the new notes using the effective yield method.

     Also in March 2005, we entered into a $53.1 million capital lease related to a landfill.

     In order to manage risk associated with fluctuations in interest rates and to take advantage of favorable floating interest rates, we have entered into interest rate swap agreements with investment grade rated financial institutions. The swap agreements have total notional values of $225.0 million and $210.0 million, respectively, and require our company to pay interest at floating rates based upon changes in LIBOR and receive interest at fixed rates of 6.625% and 6.75%, respectively. Swap agreements with a notional value of $225.0 million matured in May 2004, and agreements with a notional value of $210.0 million mature in August 2011.

     At March 31, 2005, we had $526.5 million of tax-exempt bonds and other tax-exempt financings outstanding. Borrowings under these bonds and other financings bear interest based on fixed or floating interest rates at the prevailing market and have maturities ranging from 2005 to 2037. As of March 31, 2005, we had $106.4 million of restricted cash related to proceeds from tax-exempt bonds and other tax-exempt financings. This restricted cash will be used to fund capital expenditures under the terms of the agreements.

     We believe that our excess cash, our cash from operating activities and proceeds from our revolving credit facility provide us with sufficient financial resources to meet our anticipated capital requirements and obligations as they come due. We believe that we will be able to refinance the short-term portion of our credit facility and would be able to raise additional debt or equity financing, if necessary, to fund special corporate needs or to complete acquisitions. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain additional financing under favorable terms or extend our short-term credit facility on the same terms.

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Selected Balance Sheet Accounts

     The following table reflects the activity in our allowance for doubtful accounts, final capping, closure, post-closure and remediation liabilities and accrued self-insurance during the three months ended March 31, 2005 (in millions):

                                 
            Final Capping,              
    Allowance for     Closure and              
    Doubtful Accounts     Post-Closure     Remediation     Self-Insurance  
Balance, December 31, 2004
  $ 18.0     $ 216.8     $ 54.0     $ 143.8  
Non-cash asset additions
          4.7              
Accretion
          3.5              
Other additions charged to expense
    .9                   38.2  
Revisions in estimates of future cash flows
          (5.7 )            
Acquisitions
          3.3              
Payments or usage
    (1.7 )     (.2 )     (.6 )     (34.0 )
 
                       
Balance, March 31, 2005
    17.2       222.4       53.4       148.0  
Less: Current portion
    17.2       14.4       2.4       51.6  
 
                       
Long-term portion
  $     $ 208.0     $ 51.0     $ 96.4  
 
                       

     Our expense related to doubtful accounts as a percentage of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2005 was .1%. As of March 31, 2005, accounts receivable were $246.1 million, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $17.2 million, resulting in days sales outstanding of 33, or 22 days net of deferred revenue. In addition, at March 31, 2005, our accounts receivable in excess of 90 days old totaled $19.5 million, or 7.4% of gross receivables outstanding.

Property and Equipment

     The following tables reflect the activity in our property and equipment accounts for the three months ended March 31, 2005 (in millions):

                                                                 
    Gross Property and Equipment  
                                    Non-Cash                      
    Balance as of                     Acquisitions,     Additions to Asset     Revisions in             Balance as of  
    December 31,     Capital             Net of     Retirement     Estimates of Future     Transfers and     March 31,  
    2004     Additions     Retirements     Divestitures     Obligations     Cash Flows     Adjustments     2005  
Other land
  $ 97.9     $     $     $ (1.4 )   $     $     $     $ 96.5  
Non-depletable landfill land
    53.4                                       (2.2 )     51.2  
Landfill development costs
    1,486.5       .1             59.1       4.7       (20.9 )     13.4       1,542.9  
Vehicles and equipment
    1,617.5       42.9       (8.0 )     (17.2 )                   .1       1,635.3  
Buildings and improvements
    287.0       .4             (4.0 )                   .2       283.6  
Construction in progress — landfill
    39.1       4.9                                 (10.1 )     33.9  
Construction in progress — other
    7.4       1.9                               (1.4 )     7.9  
 
                                               
Total
  $ 3,588.8     $ 50.2     $ (8.0 )   $ 36.5     $ 4.7     $ (20.9 )   $     $ 3,651.3  
 
                                               
                                                 
    Accumulated Depreciation, Amortization and Depletion  
            Additions                     Revisions in        
    Balance as of     Charged             Acquisitions,     Estimates of     Balance as of  
    December 31,     to             Net of     Future     March 31,  
    2004     Expense     Retirements     Divestitures     Cash Flows     2005  
Landfill development costs
  $ (742.9 )   $ (18.9 )   $     $ (2.8 )   $ 15.2     $ (749.4 )
Vehicles and equipment
    (766.3 )     (37.8 )     7.5       7.4             (789.2 )
Buildings and improvements
    (70.8 )     (2.7 )     .1       .5             (72.9 )
 
                                   
Total
  $ (1,580.0 )   $ (59.4 )   $ 7.6     $ 5.1     $ 15.2     $ (1,611.5 )
 
                                   

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

     The major components of changes in cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 are discussed below.

     Cash Flows From Operating Activities. Cash provided by operating activities was $167.6 million and $190.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The changes in cash provided by operating activities during the periods are primarily due to expansion of our business, the timing of payments received for accounts receivable, and the timing of payments for accounts payable and income taxes. In December 2003, we received written approval from the Internal Revenue Service to exclude probable airspace from our calculation of landfill amortization, depletion, and final capping, closure and post-closure costs for tax purposes. As a result of this change, we recorded a tax receivable of approximately $48.0 million of which approximately $33.0 million was collected or used to offset taxes payable during the three months ended March 31, 2004. Also during the three months ended March 31, 2004, we collected a $23.0 million note receivable associated with a divested business.

     We use cash flows from operations to fund capital expenditures, acquisitions, share repurchases, dividend payments and debt repayments.

     Cash Flows Used In Investing Activities. Cash used in investing activities was $11.3 million and $44.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, and consists primarily of cash used for capital additions in 2005 and 2004 and cash provided by the disposition of our operations in western New York in 2005. Capital additions were $50.2 million and $38.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

     We intend to finance capital expenditures and acquisitions through cash, restricted cash held for capital expenditures, cash flow from operations, our revolving credit facility, tax-exempt bonds and other financings. We expect to use primarily cash for future business acquisitions.

     Cash Flows Used In Financing Activities. Cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 was $226.0 million and $90.9 million, respectively, and consists primarily of purchases of common stock for treasury, payments of notes payable and long-term debt, and payments of cash dividends.

     From 2000 through 2004, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $1,025.0 million of our common stock. As of March 31, 2005, we repurchased a total of 41.1 million shares of our stock for $939.5 million, of which 5.9 million shares were acquired during the three months ended March 31, 2005 for $189.1 million. During April 2005, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of an additional $500.0 million of our common stock.

     In July 2003, our board of directors initiated a quarterly dividend of $.06 per share. The dividend was increased to $.12 per share in the third quarter of 2004. In January 2005, we paid a dividend of $18.1 million to stockholders of record as of January 3, 2005. As of March 31, 2005, we recorded a dividend payable of approximately $17.4 million to stockholders of record at the close of business on April 1, 2005. In April 2005, our board of directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $.12 per share payable to stockholders of record on July 1, 2005.

     We intend to finance future stock repurchases and dividend payments through cash on hand, cash flow from operations, our revolving credit facility and other financings.

Credit Ratings

     Our company has received investment grade ratings. As of March 31, 2005, our senior debt was rated BBB+/positive by Standard & Poor’s, BBB+/positive by Fitch and Baa2/stable by Moody’s.

Free Cash Flow

     We define free cash flow, which is not a measure determined in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in the United States, as cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property and equipment plus proceeds from the sale of property and equipment as presented in our consolidated statement of cash flows. Our free cash flow for the three months ended March 31, 2005 is calculated as follows (in millions):

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    Three Months Ended  
    March 31, 2005  
Cash provided by operating activities
  $ 167.6  
Purchases of property and equipment
    (50.2 )
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment
    .5  
 
     
Free cash flow
  $ 117.9  
 
     

     We believe that the presentation of free cash flow provides useful information regarding our recurring cash provided by operating activities after expenditures for property and equipment, net of proceeds from the sale of property and equipment. It also demonstrates our ability to execute our financial strategy which includes reinvesting in existing capital assets to ensure a high level of customer service, investing in capital assets to facilitate growth in our customer base and services provided, pursuing strategic acquisitions that augment our existing business platform, repurchasing shares of common stock at prices that provide value to our shareholders, paying cash dividends, maintaining our investment grade rating and minimizing debt. In addition, free cash flow is a key metric used to determine compensation. Free cash flow does not represent our cash flow available for discretionary expenditures because it excludes certain expenditures that are required or that we have committed to such as debt service requirements and dividend payments. Our definition of free cash flow may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.

Seasonality

     Our operations can be adversely affected by periods of inclement weather which could increase the volume of waste collected under existing contracts (without corresponding compensation), delay the collection and disposal of waste, reduce the volume of waste delivered to our disposal sites, or delay the construction or expansion of our landfill sites and other facilities.

New Accounting Pronouncements

     On December 16, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment,” which is a revision of SFAS 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” SFAS 123(R) supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and amends SFAS 95, “Statement of Cash Flows.” Generally, the approach in SFAS 123(R) is similar to the approach described in SFAS 123. However, SFAS 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values. Pro forma disclosure is no longer an alternative.

     SFAS 123(R) must be adopted by public companies no later than January 1, 2006. Early adoption will be permitted in periods in which financial statements have not been issued. We expect to adopt SFAS 123(R) on January 1, 2006.

     SFAS 123(R) permits public companies to adopt its requirements using one of two methods:

  1.   A “modified-prospective” method in which compensation cost is recognized beginning with the effective date (a) based on the requirements of SFAS 123(R) for all share-based payments granted after the effective date and (b) based on the requirements of SFAS 123 for all awards granted to employees prior to the effective date of SFAS 123(R) that remain unvested on the effective date.
 
  2.   A “modified-retrospective” method which includes the requirements of the modified-prospective method described above, but also permits entities to restate based on the amounts previously reflected in their SFAS 123 pro forma disclosures either (a) all prior periods presented or (b) prior interim periods of the year of adoption.

     We plan to adopt SFAS 123(R) using the modified-prospective method.

     As permitted by SFAS 123, we currently account for share-based payments to employees using APB 25’s intrinsic value method and, as such, generally recognizes no compensation cost for employee stock options. Accordingly, the adoption of SFAS 123(R)’s fair value method may have a significant impact on our result of operations, although it will have no impact on our overall financial position. The impact of adoption of SFAS 123(R) cannot be predicted at this time because it will depend on levels of share-based payments granted in the future. SFAS 123(R) requires the benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost to be reported as a financing cash flow, rather than as an operating cash flow as required under current literature. This requirement will reduce net operating cash flows and increase net financing cash flows in periods after adoption. While we

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cannot estimate what those amounts will be in the future (because they depend on, among other things, when employees exercise stock options), the amount of operating cash flows recognized in prior periods for such excess tax deductions were $10.6 million, $6.7 million and $4.0 million during the years ended 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

     There are no other new accounting pronouncements that are significant to our company.

Disclosure Regarding Forward Looking Statements

     Certain statements and information included herein constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Federal Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied in or by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among other things, whether our estimates and assumptions concerning our selected balance sheet accounts, final capping, closure, post-closure and remediation costs, available airspace, and projected costs and expenses related to our landfills and property and equipment, and labor, fuel rates and economic and inflationary trends, turn out to be correct or appropriate, and various factors that will impact our actual business and financial performance such as competition and demand for services in the solid waste industry; our ability to manage growth; compliance with, and future changes in, environmental regulations; our ability to obtain approvals in connection with expansions at our landfills; our ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms to finance our operations and growth strategy and for our company to operate within the limitations imposed by financing arrangements; our ability to repurchase common stock at prices that are accretive to earnings per share; our dependence on key personnel; general economic and market conditions including, but not limited to, inflation and changes in commodity pricing, fuel, labor, risk and health insurance, and other variable costs that are generally not within our control; dependence on large, long-term collection, transfer and disposal contracts; dependence on acquisitions for growth; risks associated with undisclosed liabilities of acquired businesses; risks associated with pending legal proceedings; and other factors contained in the our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

     Our market sensitive financial instruments consist primarily of variable rate debt and interest rate swaps. Therefore, our major market risk exposure is changing interest rates in the United States and fluctuations in LIBOR. We manage interest rate risk through a combination of fixed and floating rate debt as well as interest rate swap agreements.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

     We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report in accumulating and communicating to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, material information required to be included in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

     Based on an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during our last fiscal quarter, identified in connection with that evaluation, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

                                 
                            (d) Maximum  
                            Number ( or  
                            Approximate  
                            Dollar Value) of  
                    (c) Total Number     Shares (or Units)  
    (a) Total     (b)     of Shares (or     that May Yet Be  
    Number of     Average Price     Units) Purchased     Purchased Under  
    Shares (or     Paid per     as Part of Publicly     the Plans or  
    Units)     Share (or     Announced Plans     Programs  
Period   Purchased*     Unit)     or Programs     (in millions)  
Month #1 (January 1, — January 31, 2005)
    90,132     $ 32.96       61,200     $ 272.6  
 
                               
Month #2 (February 1, — February 28, 2005)
    2,171,700       30.95       2,171,700       205.4  
 
Month #3 (March 1, — March 31, 2005)
    3,682,808       32.57       3,679,500       85.5  
 
                       
Total
    5,944,640     $ 31.99       5,912,400     $ 85.5  
 
                       


*   Includes 32,240 shares purchased in the open market in connection with our 401(k) and deferred compensation programs.

     The share purchases reflected in the table above, except those purchased in connection with employee benefit plans, were made pursuant to our $275.0 million repurchase programs approved by our board of directors in October 2004. This share repurchase program does not have an expiration date. No share repurchase program approved by our board of directors has ever expired nor do we expect to terminate any program prior to completion. We intend to make additional share purchases under our existing repurchase program. In April 2005, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of an additional $500.0 million of our common stock.

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

     
Exhibit    
Number   Description of Exhibit
4.1
  Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 21, 2005, by Republic Services, Inc. to The Bank of New York, as trustee
 
   
4.2
  6.086% Note due March 15, 2035 in the principal amount of $270,348,000
 
   
4.3
  6.086% Note due March 15, 2035 in the principal amount of $2,576,000
 
   
4.4
  6.086% Note due March 15, 2035 in the principal amount of $2,750,000
 
   
31.1
  Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
 
   
31.2
  Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
 
   
32.1
  Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
 
   
32.2
  Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

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

         
    REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.
 
       
  By:   /s/ TOD C. HOLMES
       
    Tod C. Holmes
    Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
    (Principal Financial Officer)
 
       
  By:   /s/ CHARLES F. SERIANNI
       
    Charles F. Serianni
    Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
    (Principal Accounting Officer)

     Date: May 6, 2005

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