LANDFILL METHANE
OUTREACH PROGRAM

LMOP Quick Reference Sheet:

Regulations and Proposals Affecting
Landfills and LFG Energy Projects*	July 2021

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GHG Reporting Rule (final rule published 10/30/09) - MSW landfills are required to report if
annual methane (CHJ generation > 25,000 metric tons C02e. Subject landfills report CH4 generation,
emissions and associated data. For the final rule, a landfill information sheet, FAQs, an applicability
tool and data reported by subject landfills, see: epa.gov/qhqreportina and
epa.qov/qhqreportinq/subpart-hh-municipql-solid-waste-landfllls.

Major Source Boiler and Process Heater NESHAP (final rule published 3/21/11;

amended 1/31/13 and 11 /20/15) - The NESHAP established air toxic standards for new and
existing industrial, commercial and institutional boilers and process heaters at major source facilities.
A unit used as a control device to comply with another MACT standard is exempt from the rule if >
50% of its average annual heat input over a 3-year period is from the gas stream regulated under
that standard.

Otherwise, LFG-fired units will be subject to tune-up work practices if they:

•	Operate infrequently or at very low loads (as specified in the rule), or

•	Have a design heat input capacity < 10 MMBtu/hr, or

•	Fire a gas stream that either meets a minimum CH4 content or heating value or does not
exceed the maximum Hg concentration.

Units not meeting the above criteria would be subject to emission limits for PM (or non-Hg metals),
HCI, Hg and CO. For more information, see: epq.qov/stqtionqrv-sources-qir-pollution/industriql-
commerciol-qnd-institutionol-boilers-and-process-heqters.

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Internal Combustion Engine NESHAP (final rule published 8/20/10, amended
1/30/13) and NSPS (promulgated 1/18/08, amended 6/28/11 and 1/30/13) - The NESHAP
established emission standards, monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting requirements for LFG-fired
interna! combustion engines at major and area sources of HAP. Existing, non-emergency, spark
ignition, LFG-fired engines:

•	> 100 HP and < 500 HP at major sources: limit of 177 ppmvd CO at 15% 02.

•	any size at area sources: management practice standards in lieu of a CO limit.

Previous NESHAP in 2004 and 2008 set standards for other LFG-fired engines.

The final Spark Ignition NSPS contains emission standards, monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting
requirements for new spark ignition engines (including LFG-fired). New spark ignition engines which
commenced construction after 6/12/06, and modified or reconstructed engines which commenced
modification after 6/12/06, must meet specific emission limits for criteria pollutants (NOx, CO, VOC).
However, performance testing is not required for spark ignition engines that have been certified by
the manufacturer and are operated and maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions
with maintenance records kept to demonstrate compliance.

For the final rules and other information, see: epq.qov/stationqrv-enaines.

*LMOP is providing this reference sheet for informational purposes only. It is the reader's responsibility to determine
applicability and ensure compliance with regulations.


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NSPS and EG for MSW Landfills (final rules published 3/12/96, 8/29/16,3/26/20,

5/21 /21) - The NSPS and EG established standards for MSW landfill emissions of non-methane
organic compounds (NMOCs) as a surrogate for LFG. Landfills with a design capacity greater than or
equal to 2.5 million Mg and 2.5 million cubic meters and estimated NMOC emissions of at least 34 Mg
per year must reduce their emissions of LFG.

•	The updated NSPS apply to landfills constructed, modified or reconstructed after July 17, 2014.

•	The updated EG apply, through EPA-approved state plans or the federal plan, to landfills
constructed, modified or reconstructed on or before July 17, 2014. Existing landfills that closed on
or before September 27, 2017 are subject to an NMOC threshold of 50 Mg per year instead of 34
Mg per year.

•	The federal plan to implement the 2016 EG for any landfill not covered under an approved state
plan was published in 2021.

•	Amendments to the NSPS and EG were published in 2020 (as part of the MSW Landfills NESHAP
amendments) to allow landfills to demonstrate compliance with certain provisions of the NSPS
and EG by following the corresponding reguirements in the NESHAP.

For the final rules and other information, see: epa.gov/stationary-sources-air-pollutiori/municipal-
solid-waste-landfills-new-source-performance-standards.

NESHAP for MSW Landfills (final rules published 1/16/03, 3/26/20) - The NESHAP
established standards for HAP emissions from MSW landfills. Landfills with design capacities of at least
2.5 million Mg and 2.5 million cubic meters and estimated uncontrolled emissions of NMOCs of at least
50 Mg per year are required to collect and treat or control emissions of LFG. Subject landfills that
operate part or all of the landfill as a bioreactor must install collection and control systems for the
bioreactor earlier than would be required by the NSPS. The NESHAP also require semi-annual
compliance reporting, instead of the annual reporting required by the NSPS. Amendments to the
NESHAP were published in 2020 as part of the MSW Landfill Risk and Technology Review.

For the final rule and other information, see: epg.gov/stotionorv-sources-oir-pollution/municipol-solid-
waste-landfills-national-emission-standards.

Criteria for MSW Landfills (final rule published 10/9/91) - As required under the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), this regulation established minimum national criteria for all
MSW landfills, including location restrictions: design and operating standards; ground water monitoring
requirements: corrective actions: financial assurance requirements: and migration control, closure
requirements and post-closure requirements.

For the final rule and other information, see: epa.aov/rcra/resource-conservation-and-recoverv-act-
rcra-requlations#nonhaz and ecfr.qov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/40cfr258 main 02.tpl.

*LMOP is providing this reference sheet for informational purposes only. It is the reader's responsibility to determine
applicability and ensure compliance with regulations.

For More Information

LMOP LFG Energy Project
Development Handbook, Chapter 5.
Landfill Gas Contracts and Permitting

epa.qov/lmop/landfill-qas-energy-proiect-
development-handbook

EPA Climate Change site

epa.gov/climgtechgnge/

Clean Air Act

epg.gov/lgws-regulgtions/summgry-clegn-gir-gct

Track EPA Rulemakings

epg.gov/igws-reaulgtions/regulgtions#trgck


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