NSWMA & SWANA Comment on Changes to EPA Program

Use of Landfill Methane Is Crucial in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the Solid Waste Sector

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2010
SWANA Contact: Shannon Crawford, 800-467-9262 or scrawford@swana.org
NSWMA Contact: Thom Metzger, 202-506-0511 or tmetzger@envasns.org

(Washington, DC) – The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) and the National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) sent joint comments to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson regarding a petition recently filed by the Center for a Competitive Waste Industry asking EPA to reorganize and restructure the Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP). NSWMA and SWANA support LMOP and would like to see it continue as an effective advocate of methane recovery and reuse as a source of green energy. The associations are concerned that the recommended reorganization would jeopardize methane recovery and reuse.

SWANA Executive Director and CEO John H. Skinner stated, "The success of EPA's LMOP program in helping achieve greenhouse gas reductions is overwhelming.  From 1990 to 2008, emissions from landfills dropped 15%, a fact highly attributable to the beneficial use of landfill gas projects that LMOP supports. The emphasis on landfill gas recovery should be increased not reduced."

NSWMA President and CEO Bruce J. Parker concurred, "While our organizations support composting in an integrated solid waste management system, we believe that the capture and beneficial use of methane at landfills is a crucial component in reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions from the solid waste sector. The LMOP program must be sustained."

NSWMA and SWANA pledged to reach out to the EPA in the near future to provide additional comments on the beneficial use of landfill gas.

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About NSWMA: NSWMA – a sub-association of the Environmental Industry Associations (EIA) – represents for-profit companies in North America that provide solid, hazardous and medical waste collection, recycling and disposal services, and companies that provide professional and consulting services to the waste services industry.  NSWMA members conduct business in all 50 states.  For more information, visit www.nswma.org.

About SWANA: For 40 years, SWANA has been the leading professional association in the solid waste management field.  SWANA’s mission is “to advance the practice of environmentally and economically sound management of municipal solid waste.”  SWANA serves over 8,000 members and thousands more industry professionals with technical conferences, certifications, publications and a large offering of technical training courses.  For more information, visit www.SWANA.org.