Methane Mitigation:
Landfill Methane

Methane from landfills is generated from the anaerobic microbial decomposition of municipal solid waste (MSW). Landfill gas (LFG) consists of about 50% methane and about 50% carbon dioxide (CO2), and a small amount of non-methane organic compounds. Landfills are the third-largest source of anthropogenic methane in the U.S., accounting for 17 percent of all methane emissions in 2009. LFG is harmful as both an asphyxiation and explosion hazard, in addition to causing nuisance odors. Gas migration offsite can cause these problems at locations distant from the landfill site.

Methane emissions from landfills can represent an opportunity to capture a waste gas escaping to the atmosphere and use it as a clean burning energy resource. LFG is collected at landfills through the installation of a network of gas wells into the filled cells of the landfill. The collected gas is routed to one or more destruction devices where the careful monitoring of flow and methane concentration allows for the calculation of GHG emission reduction credits. Flaring of the LFG is the simplest means of converting methane to carbon dioxide; however, more landfills are installing gas-to-energy systems that utilize the energy harvested from LFG combustion to produce electricity that is sent to regional grids.

Ruby Canyon Engineering has completed numerous verifications of project emission reductions under the Climate Action Reserve's Landfill Project Protocol. RCE also provides pre-verification consulting to project developers undertaking emission reduction projects at landfills.