Background
CARB adopted the Landfill Methane Regulation (LMR) in 2010 to reduce methane emissions from municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills, which are the second-largest source of methane emissions in California. The LMR requires owners and operators to install and optimally operate landfill gas collection and control systems (GCCS) to minimize emissions, monitor surface methane concentration and other performance parameters, repair emission exceedances and other performance issues, conduct source testing of combustion devices used to destroy methane, and report compliance information to CARB and local air districts. While the purpose of the regulation is to reduce methane emissions, these strategies also contribute to reductions of co-pollutant emissions and local air quality improvements surrounding landfill facilities.
The Proposed Amendments are designed to improve methane control at MSW landfills in support of California’s ambitious methane emissions reduction goals by leveraging new technologies, research, lessons learned through over a decade of implementation experience, and feedback from stakeholders. Key objectives of the Proposed Amendments include:
- Integration of advanced technologies
- Improved detection of leaks from both the landfill surface and GCCS components
- Reduced GCCS downtime
- Reduced emissions from the working face and areas of new waste deposition
- Enhanced monitoring and operation of the GCCS which prevents disruptions, failures, odors, and co-pollutant emissions
- Improved management of landfills with declining gas generation
- Improved clarity, processes, enforceability, and regulatory oversight
Inquiries concerning the substance of the proposed regulatory action may be directed to the agency representative Quinn Langfitt, Staff Air Pollution Specialist, Short-lived Climate Pollutant Policy Section, at (279) 208-7487 or quinn.langfitt@arb.ca.gov or (designated back-up contact) Anthy Alexiades, Manager, Short-lived Climate Pollutant Policy Section, at (279) 208-7215 or anthy.alexiades@arb.ca.gov.
Further, the agency representative to whom nonsubstantive inquiries concerning the proposed administrative action may be directed is Bobbi Ruch, Regulations Coordinator, (279) 208-7881. The Board staff has compiled a record for this rulemaking action, which includes all the information upon which the proposal is based. This material is available for inspection upon request to the contact persons.
The Notice, ISOR, and all subsequent regulatory documents are available on CARB's Rulemaking webpage.
Written Comment Period & Comment Submittal
In accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, interested members of the public may present comments orally or in writing during the hearing and may provide comments by postal mail or by electronic submittal before the hearing. The public comment period for this regulatory action will begin on September 26, 2025. Written comments not submitted during the hearing must be submitted on or after September 26, 2025, and received no later than November 10, 2025. Comments submitted outside that comment period are considered untimely. CARB may, but is not required to, respond to untimely comments, including those raising significant environmental issues. The Board also encourages members of the public to bring to the attention of staff in advance of the hearing any suggestions for modification of the proposed regulatory action. Comments submitted in advance of the hearing must be addressed to one of the following:
Clerk of the Board, California Air Resources Board
1001 I Street, Sacramento, California 95814
Please note that under the California Public Records Act (Government Code section 6250 et seq.), your written and oral comments, attachments, and associated contact information (e.g., your address, phone, email, etc.) become part of the public record and can be released to the public upon request.
Real and Increasing Costs of Climate Change Impacts for Californians
The science behind climate change is irrefutable. With the increasing severity and frequency of drought, wildfire, extreme heat, and other impacts, Californians just have to look out their windows to know that climate change is real and rapidly getting worse. The impacts once thought decades away are happening now. Recent reports detail some of the impacts to the state:
- A 2024 national report ranked California the worst state for natural disasters fueled by a changing climate, with expected annual losses totaling more than $16 billion statewide.
- Home insurance is harder and more expensive to get. Seven of California’s largest property insurers, State Farm, Allstate, Farmers, USAA, Travelers, Nationwide and Chubb recently limited new homeowners policies in the Golden State — raising questions about the stability of the California home insurance market.
- During an 11-year period, exposure to wildfire smoke caused more than 50,000 deaths in California and more than $400 billion in economic impacts.
- During seven extreme heat events over the past decade, California experienced $7.7 billion in losses.
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