Obama Administration Targets Methane Emissions from Landfills, Other SourcesObama Administration Targets Methane Emissions from Landfills, Other Sources

President Obama has issued a strategy to reduce methane emissions from landfills, among other sources.

This summer the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will propose updated standards to reduce methane from new landfills. It also will take comments from the public on whether to update standards for existing landfills, the White House said in a fact sheet and news release.

The administration will look at reducing methane emissions as well from oil and gas; agriculture; and coal mines.

The steps are part of Obama’s Climate Action Plan, issued last June, to reduce carbon pollution, prepare the U.S. for the impact of climate change and lead international efforts to address the issue.

The Washington-based American Biogas Council endorsed the move, saying that the construction and operation of new biogas systems will play an important part.

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), also based in Washington, called it “a big step in the right direction.”

But David Doniger, director of the NRDC’s climate and clean air program, added that more needs to be done.