SWANA Testified at EPA Landfill NSPS Hearing

SWANA Testified at EPA Landfill NSPS Hearing

Silver Spring, MD – SWANA Executive Director, John H. Skinner, Ph.D., testified today at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) public hearing on the proposed New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills in Washington, D.C.

On July 1, the EPA issued public notices of two proposed rules. The first proposed rule features new Standards of Performance for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Landfills. The second proposed rule, an Advanced Notice of proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) entitled Emission Guidelines and Compliance Times for MSW landfills, would apply to existing landfills.

In his testimony, Skinner pointed out that, “Between 1990 and 2012 the methane emitted to the atmosphere from landfills was reduced by 30 %…the increased capture of landfill gas and its beneficial use has been instrumental in achieving these reductions over the past two and a half decades," Skinner added.

The Standards of Performance for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills is a rule of primary interest and concern for SWANA members. Therefore, SWANA has submitted a request in writing, along with the National Waste & Recycling Association, for an extension of the public comment period of 60 additional days.

SWANA’s statement to the EPA addresses its concerns and support of the proposed rule. Concerns include the effect the proposed rule would have on currently operating and closed landfills, as well as the lack of clarity in how to exit the regulatory framework once a site no longer exceeds the emission threshold. SWANA supports language in the rule that clarifies that beneficial use of treated landfill gas is not limited to use as a fuel for stationary combustion devices and includes use as a vehicle fuel, pipeline injection and use in chemical manufacturing.

SWANA’s statement reads, “The municipal solid waste industry has firsthand insight into the application and effect of the current rule and is happy to share that knowledge with EPA, both in written and in-person comments.”

Read SWANA’s statement to the EPA in full here.

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About SWANA:
The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) is the leading solid waste association serving more than 8,300 members from both the public and private sectors, with the mission of promoting environmentally and economically sound management of municipal solid waste in North America. For more than 50 years, SWANA has served industry professionals with technical conferences, certifications, publications, and a large offering of technical training courses. . For more information, visit www.SWANA.org.