The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is addressing the methane generated by landfill decomposition.

On Wednesday, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., the department will hold a virtual public meeting to discuss forthcoming landfill methane emissions rules.

To register for the public information meeting to learn more about the concept and requirements of the proposed rule, register here: Dec. 18 meeting

A report by Healthy Air and Water Colorado, just released, says that landfills are poorly regulated with lax standards, leading to unnecessary methane emissions.

The report, Mountainous Methane, says the state of Colorado reports 59 active landfills that emitted “more than 6.2 million metric tons (MMT) of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) methane in 2022, on a 20-year global warming potential. That’s 20% more emissions than the coal mining industry (4.95 MMT) in the same year, and nearly three times as much as aviation fuels (2.62 MMT).”

For more information on the rulemaking process, visit CDPHE’s landfill methane page.