EPA Approves Texas Plan to Curb Landfill Farts
Published Date: 3/4/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA is proposing to approve Texas’s plan to control pollution from existing trash landfills. This means landfill operators in Texas will follow new rules to reduce harmful gas emissions, helping clean the air. Comments on this plan are open until April 3, 2026, and the changes aim to protect health without big costs for businesses.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Reduced Landfill Air Emissions in Texas
EPA proposes that Texas’s plan implements the MSW Landfills Emission Guidelines to control landfill gas and components such as methane and nonmethane organic compounds from existing landfills (those with construction, modification, or reconstruction on or before July 17, 2014). If approved, these state-enforceable rules aim to reduce harmful landfill emissions in Texas.
Texas Landfill Operators Must Comply
If you operate a municipal solid waste landfill in Texas, EPA is proposing to approve Texas’s state plan (30 TAC Sec. 113.2400–113.2412) so those state rules will become federally enforceable for existing landfills. The state plan implements the MSW Landfills Emission Guidelines (40 CFR part 60, subpart Cf) and, once approved, replaces the federal plan currently in effect in Texas.
Existing TCEQ-Approved Systems Exempted
Landfill gas collection and control systems in Texas that were approved by TCEQ and installed per 30 TAC Sec. 115.152 are considered to meet the technical requirements of the federal Emission Guidelines (40 CFR 60.33f(b) and (c)). This avoids duplicative federal and state requirements for those systems.
Closed Landfills Exempted If Idle Since 1993
Texas’s plan explicitly exempts municipal solid waste landfills that have not accepted waste since October 9, 1993, and have no additional design capacity; such closed landfills are not subject to gas collection and control requirements tied to the 50 megagrams/year (Mg/yr) NMOC threshold. EPA proposes to approve this use of 40 CFR 60.24(f).
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Key Dates
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