Environmental Defense Fund Takes Legal Action to Address Landfill Methane Emissions
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Vickie Patton – (720) 837-6239 or vpatton@edf.org
Kevin Lynch – (303) 447-7200 or klynch@edf.org
Sean
(
“Capturing the waste gas leaking from the nation’s landfills and converting it to a local source of energy is a trifecta for the nation’s economy, environment and energy security,” said
The recent U.S. Climate Change Science Program report determined that measures to reduce methane emissions are: a “clear win-win solution for climate (less warming) and air quality (less pollution).” See Climate Projections Based on Emissions Scenarios for Long-Lived and Short-Lived Radiatively Active Gases and Aerosols, ps. 64-65, (Sept. 2008), at http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap3-2/final-report/.
Capturing landfill emissions also creates an economic boon to local communities because cost-effective technology provides access to an untapped energy source.
EPA has failed to update the emission standards for landfills for a dozen years, violating its duty under the nation’s clean air laws to modernize the emission standards at least every eight years.
Methane contributes to harmful ozone and is a potent greenhouse gas
Methane emissions contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone. Exposure to ground-level ozone has been linked to serious health effects including premature mortality, decreased lung function, respiratory illness, and asthma. Methane is also a potent global warming gas – about 21 times more powerful at warming the atmosphere than carbon dioxide (CO2). Methane’s relatively short atmospheric lifetime (10 years), coupled with its potency as a greenhouse gas, makes reducing methane emissions from landfills one of the best ways to mitigate global warming over the near-term..
Landfills are top emitters of methane gas
Methane is emitted from a variety of human and natural sources. Municipal solid waste landfills are the second largest source of human-related methane emissions in the
Landfills can become clean energy sources
Landfill gas is created as solid waste decomposes in a landfill. This gas consists of about 50 percent methane, about 50 percent CO2, and a small amount of non-methane organic compounds. Because methane is a principal component of natural gas, methane emissions from landfills present a key opportunity to capture and use a significant home-grow energy source.
Landfill gas is extracted from landfills using a series of wells and a vacuum system. This system directs the collected gas to a central point where it can be processed and treated. From this point, the gas can be used to generate electricity, replace fossil fuels in industrial and manufacturing operations, fuel greenhouse operations, or be upgraded to pipeline quality gas.
A number of landfills around the country are already utilizing this energy from methane. The 16.6 million tons-in-place
EDF’s Notice of Intent to Sue: http://edf.org/documents/8713_NOILandfillNSPSOct2008.pdf
Environmental Protection Agency’s response to EDF’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request: http://edf.org/documents/8712_EPAFOIAResponseAug2008.pdf
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About Environmental Defense Fund
Environmental Defense Fund is at the forefront of an innovation revolution, developing new solutions that protect the natural world while growing the economy. Founded in 1967 and representing more than 500,000 members, the group creates powerful economic incentives by working with market leaders and relying on rigorous science. For more information, visit edf.org.
One of the world’s leading international nonprofit organizations, Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org) creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. With more than 3 million members and offices in the United States, China, Mexico, Indonesia and the European Union, EDF’s scientists, economists, attorneys and policy experts are working in 28 countries to turn our solutions into action. Connect with us on Twitter @EnvDefenseFund
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