Pennsylvania joins seven other states to sue EPA over landfill emissions

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, along with seven other attorneys general, recently sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over the agency’s failure to enforce a federal rule regulating emissions from landfills.

The Emission Guidelines and Compliance Times for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills went into effect Oct. 28, 2016, but is not being enforced. The aim was to reduce landfill emissions of methane, carbon dioxide, hazardous air pollutants and volatile organic compounds.

The EPA has said it will reconsider the rule by spring 2020. The lawsuit claims the delay in implementing the rule violates the Clean Air Act.

The Clean Air Act requires EPA to regulate all stationary sources that cause or contribute to air pollution that may endanger public health, including landfills.

“Methane is one of the most dangerous greenhouse gases,” Shapiro said. “I filed this suit to ensure the EPA does its job – mandated by Congress and the Clean Air Act – to limit this major contributor to climate change. The EPA and Secretary (Scott) Pruitt cannot ignore their legal obligations and compromise the health and safety of Pennsylvanians. I won’t allow it.”

Carbon monoxide and methane are the top climate-changing gases, the statement from the attorney general noted, adding that Pennsylvania has 44 landfills.

Climate change has been linked to severe weather, asthma, heart disease, emphysema, and heat deaths.

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court in California. The other states involved are California, Illinois, Maryland, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont.