Colorado Air Regulators Approve Landfill Methane Standards

(DENVER) In a major win for public health, climate action, and environmental justice, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) today voted 6-0 to adopt updated rules to slash methane pollution from the state’s landfills. The landfill methane rule, a product of compromise from all involved parties, will reduce the highly potent greenhouse gas while also protecting nearby communities from smog-forming pollution and air toxics, like benzene and toluene. 

The landfill methane rule includes critical updates to hold operators accountable, including: 

• Requiring landfill operators to improve how they monitor for methane leaks;
• Strengthening requirements for how methane gas is captured and destroyed;
• Requiring landfill operators to use landfill cover practices to control emissions; and
• Phasing out open flares. 

In 2020, Colorado landfills emitted 4.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, the equivalent of driving more than 1 million gas-powered cars for a year. Once fully implemented, these new rules will drastically reduce harmful emissions. Additionally, Colorado advocates will continue to push for “upstream” solutions to eliminate the creation of methane in the first place, by increasing organics diversion programs that reduce the amount of methane-producing waste, such as food scraps and yard trimmings, buried in landfills each year. 

Below are statements from the coalition in reaction to today’s vote:

“Today’s vote puts Colorado on a stronger path to rein in one of the most harmful sources of methane pollution that threatens human health. By requiring better monitoring, stronger controls, and the use of advanced technologies to reduce methane leaks, the Commission delivered commonsense protections that will cut pollution faster and improve air quality for communities living near landfills,” said Edwin LaMair, Senior Attorney at Environmental Defense Fund.

“Colorado has taken a major step in reducing waste-related emissions by adopting updated landfill methane regulations. We applaud the hundreds of Coloradans who provided feedback on this effort, and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Air Pollution Control Division team for their collaborative and creative approach to navigating this complex topic. Eco-Cycle and our partners will continue our work to advance organic waste diversion systems across Colorado, keeping methane-generating materials out of landfills in the first place. - said Suzanne Jones, Executive Director at Eco-Cycle.

“By adopting the landfill methane rule, Colorado is taking an important step to protect our children’s health and future. Landfills are a major source of methane and harmful co-pollutants that can trigger asthma and other respiratory conditions in kids. These new rules will improve air quality and cut climate-warming pollution, helping us achieve the clean air and safe climate our children deserve – while demonstrating that Colorado is committed to safeguarding both for generations to come,”  said Laurie Anderson, Colorado Field Organizer at Moms Clean Air Force.

“Today’s decision is a meaningful victory for the health of Colorado communities. Methane is a powerful climate pollutant that also worsens the air quality issues driving asthma, respiratory illness, and other preventable health harms – especially for children and those living closest to landfills. By requiring robust monitoring and stronger controls on landfill emissions, the Commission has taken a critical step toward cleaner air and a safer, healthier future for all Coloradans,” said Dr. Nikita Habermehl, emergency medicine pediatrician and Healthy Air & Water Colorado advocate. 

“Colorado communities have been paying the price of waste sector pollution for far too long, with 1 in 3 Coloradans living within five miles of a landfill. We’re proud to see Colorado’s air regulators take action to hold operators accountable and tackle one of our most solvable climate and health challenges. We look forward to continuing to build a cleaner future where families can breathe clean air and food no longer goes to waste,” said Lee Helfend, Director of Campaign Strategy at Full Circle Future. 

“Communities across Colorado are already grappling with the mounting consequences of climate change, like intense heat waves, persistent drought, increasingly destructive weather, and more severe wildfires. Local leaders across the state have voiced strong support for a robust rule, because cutting methane emissions from landfills – one of the state’s major climate offenders – is among the quickest and most achievable strategies for addressing this pollution. WLN commends AQCC for taking this important step and advancing modern, protective standards that will cover more landfills, improve monitoring, capture more gas and protect Coloradans,” said Liane Jollon, executive director of Western Leaders Network.

“So many hazardous toxics attach to methane as materials break down. These rules will ensure healthier air for communities ensuring the majority of these toxins are destroyed instead of being emitted in the atmosphere,” said Brian Loma, Hazardous Waste and Materials Diversion Advocate for GreenLatinos Colorado. “Health impacts of hazardous air pollutants are experienced from incomplete destruction from an open flare and this rule is calculated to avert over 10 billion in health and social impacts for Coloradans, especially those in rural communities.”

“Colorado’s poor air quality stems from a variety of pollution sources, including methane emissions from landfills. Communities served by the Black Parents United Foundation in Aurora, Denver, and Commerce City experience significant health challenges as a result, with asthma being particularly widespread. We are grateful to the AQCC for addressing this pollution source and providing another important tool to help protect public health.” said Rachael Lehman, Legislative Affairs, Black Parents United Foundation.

“For too long, municipal waste landfills have been subject to lax air pollution standards. These new regulations will make meaningful cuts in emissions of methane and other harmful air pollutants from Colorado’s landfills,” said Leah Kelly, Senior Attorney with the Environmental Integrity Project. “We appreciate the time and attention devoted by Colorado regulators to this important issue.”