EPA Updates Air Standards for Landfills
The EPA is proposing updates be made to air standards for new municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills, which would reduce methane emissions and overall pollution.
Under the President’s Climate Action Plan, the EPA has proposed revisions to air standards for new landfills in order to reduce emissions created by methane, which has a global warming potential 25 times greater than that of carbon dioxide. The proposal would require landfills to control gas at a lower emissions threshold, meaning two-thirds of their emissions would be captured within a decade.
“Reducing methane emissions is a powerful way to take action on climate change,” said Administrator Gina McCarthy. “This latest step from the President’s methane strategy builds on our progress to date and takes steps to cut emissions from landfills through common-sense standards.”
The EPA is currently accepting public comments on the proposed air standards revision and also on how to update the current guidelines used by landfills already in use. For more information, please visit the EPA’s website.