Maryland Trash Burners Get Cleaner Rules, EPA Says OK
Published Date: 10/8/2026
Rule
Summary
The EPA is giving a thumbs-up to Maryland’s new rules that cut pollution from trash-burning plants by limiting harmful nitrogen emissions. This change helps keep the air cleaner for everyone in Maryland and kicks in on November 9, 2026. If you run or live near these waste plants, expect cleaner air and no surprise costs since the rules use proven technology already available.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
New NOX Limits and Monitoring for Two Large MWCs
Two named large municipal waste combustors in Maryland must meet specific NOX limits and monitoring requirements. Montgomery County Resource Recovery Facility (MCRRF) must meet a 24-hour NOX block average of 140 ppmv and a 30-day rolling average of 105 ppmv (corrected to 7% O2), with a 24-hour startup/shutdown mass limit of 202 lbs/hr; Wheelabrator Baltimore must meet a 24-hour NOX block average of 150 ppmv and a 30-day rolling average of 145 ppmv (corrected to 7% O2), with a 24-hour startup/shutdown mass limit of 252 lbs/hr. Both large MWCs have startup/shutdown durations limited to three hours per occurrence, must continuously monitor NOX with a continuous emissions monitoring system (CEMS), and submit quarterly reports to the Maryland Department of the Environment.
Maryland MWC Rules Become Federally Enforceable
The EPA is incorporating Maryland Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) provisions into the federally approved State Implementation Plan (SIP), and those provisions are fully federally enforceable under Clean Air Act sections 110 and 113 as of November 9, 2026. Petitions for judicial review of this EPA action must be filed in the appropriate U.S. Court of Appeals by December 7, 2026.
Small MWCs Built Before 1999 Not Subject to Subpart JJJ Violation
Small municipal waste combustors in Maryland that were constructed on or before August 30, 1999, will not be in violation of 40 CFR part 62 subpart JJJ. Maryland defines small MWCs as those with capacity of at least 35 tons per day and less than or equal to 250 tons per day.
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