California cracks down on methane pollution with first major landfill rule update in 15 years

California took a significant step toward reducing climate pollution this week when state regulators approved sweeping updates to outdated methane emission standards for municipal landfills. The new regulations target the state’s second-largest source of methane, a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere at roughly 25 times the rate of carbon dioxide.

The updated rules replace 15-year-old standards that environmental advocates argued were insufficient for addressing the climate crisis. Landfills produce methane when organic waste decomposes without oxygen, releasing the potent greenhouse gas into the atmosphere. Under the new regulations, California’s greenhouse gas regulators will implement stronger oversight measures and require landfill operators to adopt cutting-edge monitoring and control technologies that weren’t available when the original rules were established.

Environmental justice advocates and community leaders have long pushed for these updates, emphasizing that methane reduction is crucial for protecting both the climate and public health. Communities near landfills often face disproportionate exposure to air pollution and associated health risks. The new standards represent a victory for these groups, who have urged state officials to prioritize frontline communities in the fight against climate change.

The regulatory update aligns California’s methane control efforts with the latest scientific understanding and technological capabilities, potentially serving as a model for other states grappling with similar emissions challenges. As California continues its ambitious climate goals, reducing methane from landfills represents a critical piece of the broader strategy to cut greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming.