Landfill gas

EPA issues two final landfill missions rules

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) is providing its partners and other interested parties information about the final updated performance standards and emission guidelines for municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills.

On Aug. 29, 2016, the U.S. EPA Office of Air Quality Planning & Standards published two final rules:

• New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) to reduce landfill gas emissions from MSW landfills constructed, modified or reconstructed after July 17, 2014; and
• Emission Guidelines and Compliance Times (EG) to reduce landfill gas emissions from MSW landfills constructed, modified or reconstructed on or before July 17, 2014.

Both actions are part of the President’s March 2014 Climate Action Plan: Strategy to Reduce Methane Emissions. EPA determined it was appropriate to update these rules, initially issued in 1996, based on significant changes in the landfill industry that have occurred, an improved understanding of landfill gas emissions and public comments.

EPA determined for both rules that a well-designed and well-operated landfill gas collection and control system remains the best system of emission reduction for landfill gas. The final rules and resources are available at www3.epa.gov/ttn/atw/landfill/landflpg.html.

Sacramento County, California, to start using renewable LNG to fuel its fleet

Sacramento County, California’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) trucks will be filling up with the advanced biofuel known as renewable liquefied natural gas (RLNG) at what the county describes as a significant discount with a multiyear contract with Applied LNG, headquartered in Westlake Village, California.

“We are extremely proud that Sacramento County is diversifying its fleet fuel portfolio,” says Phil Serna, county supervisor for District 1 and member of the California Air Resources Board. “This brings our renewable fuel consumption for our entire fleet to more than 50 percent.”

Applied’s renewable LNG is produced by BP Energy, Irvine, California, from biomethane extracted from a landfill.

The biomethane is combusted as renewable gas resulting in greenhouse gas releases that are approximately 21 times less potent than methane released directly into the atmosphere, according to the company. The use of renewable LNG represents the recycling of carbon that is already circulating in the environment.

“Our ability to produce this LNG from renewable sources of natural gas makes it a compelling choice as one of America’s sustainable energy sources. This embodies the Applied LNG mission to provide cleaner, affordable and domestically produced fuel solutions as an alternative to the more conventional petroleum-based products such as diesel, gasoline or propane,” says Applied LNG President and CEO Ed McKenna.