Allegheny County may inherit federal landfill pollution enforcement duties
Published Date: 11/5/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA is proposing to let Allegheny County take charge of enforcing pollution rules for existing trash landfills. This means Allegheny County will handle the cleanup efforts to reduce harmful gases from landfills, following federal guidelines. If you want to share your thoughts, you have until December 7, 2026, to speak up!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Landfills over 34 Mg NMOC/year must install GCCS
If you operate an existing municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill that emits 34 megagrams (Mg) or more of non-methane organic compounds (NMOC) per year, the Federal Plan requires you to install a gas collection and control system (GCCS). The Federal Plan applies to landfills that began construction, reconstruction, or modification on or before July 17, 2014 and accepted waste any time since November 8, 1987 or have capacity for future waste.
Three Allegheny County landfills are covered
The Allegheny County Health Department submitted an inventory showing there are three existing MSW landfill facilities in Allegheny County that are subject to the Federal Plan. Those three landfill operators are the local businesses directly subject to the Federal Plan requirements and enforcement in Allegheny County.
EPA finds no significant small-entity impact
EPA certified under the Regulatory Flexibility Act that this delegation action does not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The Agency states the action merely delegates existing Federal Plan authority to the local agency and does not impose additional requirements.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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