To Randy Mosier, Division Chief,
Regulation Development Division
Air and Radiation Administration,
Maryland Dept. of the Environment
1800 Washington Boulevard, Suite 730,
Baltimore, MD 21230-1720
I am a Maryland resident who is extremely concerned about climate change. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas and a driving force behind climate change. Maryland’s 40 municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills are the single largest source of methane pollution in Maryland, even larger than the gas industry. It is very important to me that MDE take bold action to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from MSW landfills.
As such, I support MDE’s draft new methane regulations for MSW landfills. These requirements are generally in line with the best-in-the-country regulations for landfill emissions in California, Oregon, and Washington so far. Passing them would make Maryland the first state on the East Coast to follow this stronger regulatory approach.
Through the Climate Solutions Now Act, Maryland has strong laws mandating the state to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But without action, emissions from our state’s landfills will only continue to increase. By enacting these regulations we can reduce emissions by up to 50 percent.
Please keep these regulations strong and pass them as soon as possible.
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my comment today.