Landfill Gas Information

Methane and Landfill Gas

Methane, including that produced in landfills, is both a valuable energy resource that can be used in place of natural gas or propane, and a pollutant whose emission is regulated by both federal and state authorities. Methane gas is also very similar to natural gas, and can be used as a fuel to provide heat or for electricity generation in place of natural gas or propane. Burning, or destroying, methane gas as a source of energy is a low-cost, reliable alternative to fossil fuels from afar. Methane is also a potent greenhouse gas witha 100-year global warming impact estimated at 23 times that of pure carbon dioxide alone.

Methane typically makes up about half of the total gas extracted from the landfill. The bulk of the remainder is carbon dioxide, but small amounts of other compounds are commonly found as well.

Regulations & Landfill Gas

In addition to its energy value and pollution-reduction benefits, landfill methane release is often regulated. Landfills, once closed, have a top layer of clay (sometimes a plastic covering) that is called a 'cap' that prevents air from entering the landfill and prevents the release of methane gas.

Federal regulations impose certain restrictions on landfills. New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) require every landfill with over 2.5 million tons of waste-in-place to collect and destroy the methane from their landfill. All landfills are subject to limits on the emission of Non-Methane Organic Compounds (NMOCs). When methane escapes the landfill and enters neighboring facilities landfill owners are required to act to stop the methane migration.