Underground fires and methane leaks at California landfills are causing significant problems for nearby communities and contributing to climate change. Landfills are the state's second-largest source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
In response, the California Air Resources Board is proposing new regulations to improve the identification and response to methane leaks and underground fires. These proposed rules would require landfill operators to use advanced technologies like satellites and drones for more comprehensive methane leak detection and to take corrective actions more quickly.
Currently, issues like underground fires at landfills have led to thousands of complaints from residents experiencing health problems such as headaches and difficulty breathing, and have released toxic fumes into the air. While proponents argue the new regulations are necessary for public health and environmental protection, some landfill operators and local governments oppose the measures, citing potential annual costs of $12 million that could be passed on to residents.
Despite these concerns, the proposed rules aim to address issues like the prolonged underground fire at the Chiquita Canyon Landfill, which has been burning since 2022, and to prevent future occurrences at the nearly 200 large landfills across California.
