NWRA’s Anne Germain Highlights Work of Industry to Curb Landfill Gas Emissions Before Senate EPW Committee

Arlington, VA – Today, Anne Germain, Chief Operating Officer & Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) testified before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee at its hearing, “Avoiding, Detecting, and Capturing Methane Emissions from Landfills.”

In her written testimony, Germain said, “our sector is subject to extensive federal state, and local environmental requirements, including stringent design, operation, monitoring, and closure and post-closure standards set under federal laws, such as the Clean Air Act. Based on data from the EPA, landfill air emissions have declined by nearly 45% between 1990 and 2021. We are proud of this progress.”

NWRA acknowledges that action to address the climate crisis is necessary and its members are committed to reducing climate impacts even further, in accordance with the goals of the Global Methane Pledge. Waste and recycling companies work hard to closely monitor emissions, take corrective action when necessary, and invest in infrastructure that transforms waste into energy to power communities, fuel vehicles, and offset the impacts of climate change.

The industry welcomes the opportunity to work with Congress toward meaningful policy solutions which will lead to the capture of more methane from landfills.  NWRA supported the tax credit for “qualified biogas properties.” However, a recent proposal from the Treasury Department would nearly eliminate biogas processing facilities from eligibility for the tax credit. NWRA urges the Committee to support efforts to call on the Treasury Department to reverse course on its proposal.

You may read Anne Germain’s full written testimony here.