Dive Brief:

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a proposal to update the rule that dictates performance standards at municipal solid waste landfill sites. The EPA also gave advanced notice for a proposed rule in regards to greenhouse gas emissions guidelines and compliance times for landfills.
• The EPA is looking for feedback for solutions to reduce emissions to an even greater extent at existing landfills. The National Waste & Recycling Association (NW&RA) is reviewing the regulations and rule making, and will give commentary to the EPA that will promote lower methane emissions, with a focus on economic feasibility and practical implementation.
• The EPA is proposing a new regulatory category with stricter directives that would affect landfills when the sites undergo construction, reconstruction or modifications. The biggest change compared to existing regulations is on emissions thresholds. 

Dive Insight:

Additional changes proposed by the EPA include clarity surrounding landfill gas treatment and its startup, shutdown and malfunction procedures. Landfills currently in operation would follow existing regulations. 

The advanced notice of rulemaking concerns existing landfills. The EPA is accepting comments dealing with adjustments to the design capacity and emissions thresholds, the timing of installation, expansion and removal of the gas collection system, in addition to best management practices.