EPA Greenlights West Virginia's Trash Landfill Emission Plan
Published Date: 3/23/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA is set to approve West Virginia’s updated plan to control pollution from existing trash landfills. This means landfill operators in West Virginia will follow new rules to reduce harmful gas emissions, helping keep the air cleaner. Comments on this plan are open until April 22, 2026, and the changes could affect how landfills manage their emissions and possibly their costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
WV landfills must follow updated rules
If you operate a municipal solid waste landfill in West Virginia, the EPA is proposing to approve West Virginia's updated 111(d) plan that incorporates West Virginia legislative rule 45CSR23 (effective June 1, 2021). That means existing MSW landfills in West Virginia will be required to follow the updated emissions guidelines and compliance times submitted to EPA on November 18, 2021. This may change how you manage landfill emissions and could affect your compliance activities and costs.
Reduced landfill emissions, cleaner air
You (residents of West Virginia) may see reduced harmful gas emissions from municipal solid waste landfills because the EPA proposes to approve the state's updated emissions guidelines for existing MSW landfills. The plan update is tied to West Virginia rule 45CSR23 and the state's November 18, 2021 submittal, which aim to reduce landfill gases and help keep the air cleaner in the state.
No additional federal burden for small entities
The EPA states this proposed approval simply accepts West Virginia law as meeting Federal requirements and "does not impose additional requirements beyond those imposed by state law." The action is certified under the Regulatory Flexibility Act as not having a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).
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Key Dates
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