EPA Publishes Rules for Existing MSW Landfills

EPA published two actions related to the 2016 Emission Guidelines for Existing MSW Landfills in August 2019. The emission guidelines for MSW landfills (40 CFR Part 60, Subpart Cf) require existing landfills (constructed, reconstructed, or modified before July 17, 2014) that reach a landfill gas emissions rate of 34 megagrams of non-methane organic compounds (NMOC) or more per year or closed landfills that reach an emissions rate of 50 megagrams of NMOC or more per year to install a system to collect and control landfill gas.

• EPA issued a final rule that aligns state plan timing requirements with the updated Clean Air Act section 111(d) implementing regulations that were finalized with the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule. This rule revises the 2016 Emission Guidelines and Compliance Times for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills by updating cross references to the implementing regulations that refer to amended timing requirements for the submission of state plans, the EPA’s review of state plans, and the issuance of federal plans.

• EPA also proposed a federal plan that would apply to MSW landfills in any state, tribe, or locale that has not submitted a satisfactory plan. The proposed federal plan implements emission limits, compliance schedules and testing, monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting requirements established in the emission guidelines. It also provides options for delegation of authority to allow states to play a primary role in implementing and enforcing the federal plan. EPA estimates about 1,900 landfills would potentially be covered by the proposed federal plan. For more information, view EPA’s Fact Sheet.