EPA issues new rules for landfills

International Lining Technology works on many projects involving landfills, so we keep an eye on federal regulations regarding operations, maintenance and building of the public infrastructures.

The Environmental Protection Agency on July 15 issued final actions to reduce methane emissions from municipal solid waste landfills. All facilities must start capturing and controlling methane gas emission at levels that are one-third lower than current standards. These rules affect new, modified and existing landfills.

it has been 20 years since requirements have been updated for existing landfills.

According to an EPA press release, the rules will:

• By 2025, cut methane emissions by an estimated 334,000 tons a year.
• Estimates that the climate benefits of the rules at $512 million in 2025 or more than $8 for every dollar spent to comply.

Methane can be a large contributor to global warming, and landfills are the second-largest industrial source of these emissions in the U.S., according to the EPA.

If you are looking for more details about the new regulations, read the EPA news release here.