NY -- Standard&Poor's CreditWire 1/20/98 -- Standard&Poor's today assigned its single-'A'-plus rating to Albuquerque, N.M.'s refuse removal and disposable revenue bonds series 1998. The rating reflects: -- A well-managed refuse system with a strong business profile of 3.6; -- Long-term landfill capacity as well as strong control of waste flow within the city; -- Relatively low rates with limited competition from private haulers; -- An expanding economy based in services, trade, and governmental employment, and -- Good coverage levels of new maximum annual debt service. Also reflected is strong legal protection, including a 1.5 times (x) rate covenant and additional bonds test. The series 1998 bonds will fund the refuse system's capital program, including landfill improvement
