The Office of the Inspector General (OIG), internal watchdog for the EPA, released a report outlining the findings of its recent audit that identified weaknesses in state implementation of the Clean Air Act municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill regulations in Regions 4 and 6, and in the EPA oversight of state programs. The OIG identified gaps that could inadvertently allow certain MSW landfills to operate without Title V permits (as required under the New Source Performance Standards [NSPS]), without reporting non-methane organic carbon emissions, and without the required emissions controls. As a result of these findings, the OIG outlined several recommendations for the EPA including the development and implementation of a periodic review process for MSW landfill design capacity information, and Title V permit lists to identify those with design capacities over the applicable threshold and that have not applied for a Title V permit.
“EPA is taking a closer look at Title V permitting for large MSW landfills as a result of a recent report from the Office of the Inspector General. BC can help clients proactively evaluate Title V applicability.”
Paul Pepler