Help in your language: Free language assistance services are available to you. To request assistance in another language, email cdphe_apcd_outreach@state.co.us. Please include the topic and “language assistance” in the subject line. Please also link to the specific information you’d like to access, if possible, such as a web page or document.
Ayuda en el idioma de su preferencia: ofrecemos asistencia en el idioma de su preferencia, sin cargo alguno. Si desea solicitar asistencia en español o en otro idioma, envíe un correo electrónico a cdphe_apcd_outreach@state.co.us. Indique el tema y la frase “language assistance” (asistencia en otro idioma) como asunto de su mensaje. De ser posible, incluya un enlace a la información que desea consultar, como la página web o el documento.
Overview
The CDPHE Air Pollution Control Division will propose a rule to the Air Quality Control Commission in 2025 to reduce methane pollution from municipal solid waste landfills. If approved, the rulemaking hearing will be held later in 2025.
Municipal solid waste landfills are significant sources of methane, which is a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Colorado identified reducing methane pollution from landfills as a near-term action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state’s Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap 2.0.
In October 2024, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission adopted changes to the state’s greenhouse gas reporting requirements that apply to municipal solid waste landfills. These updates to Regulation 22, Part A support the new landfill methane reduction requirements the division plans to propose in 2025.
The proposed methane reduction rule requirements would apply to municipal solid waste landfills based on the amount of waste currently in a landfill (“waste in place”). The proposal will consider measures such as:
- A lower methane emissions threshold for requiring landfills to install gas collection and control systems (GCCS), and requiring GCCS to be installed sooner than federal requirements.
- Methane monitoring requirements, including options to use alternative monitoring technologies and remote monitoring to identify large emission sources.
- Phasing out open flares to require enclosed flares for methane emissions control.
Public participation opportunities
Public information meetings
The division will host online public information meetings in late 2024 and early 2025 on the rule proposal. During these sessions, the division will:
- Share the proposed rule’s concept and requirements.
- Provide the opportunity for public feedback.
- Answer questions.
Registration is required and Spanish interpretation will be provided upon request.
- Virtual event: Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, 1-2:30 p.m.
- Virtual event: Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
The division continually seeks public input before proposing new or updated rules. Explore the division's upcoming public participation opportunities.
Submit written public comments
Send written comments on the landfill methane rule proposal and the technical working group discussions to climatechange@state.co.us. Use the subject line, “Landfill Methane Reduction.”
Technical working group (August-November 2024)
The division convened a technical working group in August 2024 to help support and inform the rule proposal. The technical working group focused on:
- Evaluating methodologies and best practices for reducing landfill methane emissions beyond federal requirements.
- Assessing enhanced methane monitoring and control requirements for landfills.
- Operating and maintenance practices and considerations for landfill gas collection and control systems.
- Streamlining reporting requirements for landfills.
The technical working group meetings were open for live public listening and also recorded. The meetings primarily focused on technical discussions among the working group members.
Each meeting was about two hours long and hosted online.
- Aug. 27, 2024 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Sept. 10, 2024 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Sept. 26, 2024 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Oct. 15, 2024 12 p.m.-2 p.m.
- Oct. 22, 2024 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Nov. 5, 2024 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
The division convened a technical working group with diverse expertise in:
- Landfill regulatory development and oversight.
- Methane emission reduction methods.
- Landfill operations and management.
The group's expertise helped inform balanced and comprehensive recommendations for landfill methane pollution control. The technical working group members graciously volunteered their time:
- Aaron Byrne, Summit County Landfill.
- Brian Dodek, WM.
- Tom Frankiewicz/Ellie Garland, Rocky Mountain Institute.
- Melissa Green, Weaver Consultants.
- Paul Schlicht, CDPHE Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division.
- Dana Podell, CDPHE Air Pollution Control Division.
- Nancy Seidman, Regulatory Assistance Project.
- Steve Derus, Republic Services.
Resources
- Air Quality Control Commission Regulation 22, Colorado Greenhouse Gas Reporting and Emission Reduction Requirements.
- Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap 2.0, Landfill Methane Directive on page 65.
Key legislation
- Climate Action Plan To Reduce Pollution (House Bill 19-1261).
- Colorado Environmental Justice Act (House Bill 21-1266).
Contact us
Questions? Email climatechange@state.co.us.