More than 80 new waste incinerators are planned for 2011.
The coalition is to decide in the summer whether construction can go ahead, in the face of what is expected to be fierce local opposition.
In total, the sites will be worth £10 billion and potentially deliver renewable energy and cheaper bills to thousands of households in the UK.
However, it is thought that falling levels of waste generation could make the argument for waste-for-energy look more uncertain.
In addition, the Localism Bill is likely to be the easiest path to vetoing any new controversial developments.
Speaking to the Financial Times, SITA UK's chief executive David Palmer Jones said: "[Residents] think it's marvellous until you say to them, 'Can I build one a mile from your house?' and then they say, 'We don't like it [the idea] any more'."
A report from the Confederation of British Industry earlier in the month urged the government to support the burgeoning sector ahead of tougher landfill targets in 2015.
Typical Guttridge equipment used in the recycling industry includes; elevators – bucket elevators – valves
