IN FOCUS: What happens in a landfill, doesn't stay in a landfill.
Reducing methane emissions from landfills is another powerful tool to combat climate change.
ref. https://ecology.wa.gov/blog/december-2023/what-happens-in-a-landfill-does-not-stay-in-a-landfill
When you toss your banana peel into the garbage, you’re probably not thinking about how it will decompose in a landfill, emitting planet-warming carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane gases into the atmosphere. But that’s what happens.
In fact, decomposing organic matter in landfills (mostly food waste and yard debris) is a significant source of methane emissions in Washington, and municipal solid waste landfills are the third largest source of human-related methane emissions in the nation.
Methane gas, a super pollutant many times more damaging than CO2 in the short term, is terrible for the climate.
That’s why the Washington Legislature passed a new law in 2022 requiring owners and operators of municipal solid waste landfills, which are a certain category of landfills that may be either public or privately owned, to adopt stricter requirements for controlling methane.
We recently proposed a new rule to implement this law and put Washington at the forefront of the issue, along with California, Oregon and Maryland, which have passed similar rules.
What's the urgency?
To understand why it’s important to quickly reduce methane emissions, consider these sobering facts:
Typically, 99% of landfill gas is CO2 and methane in roughly equal proportions.
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, just like CO2, but it has approximately 83 times the global warming potential (or “GWP”) of CO2 during its first 20 years in the atmosphere.
Methane is responsible for more than 25% of the global warming experienced today.
Three methods of controlling methane gas
When adopted, the new rule will require landfill owners and operators to implement at least one of three methods to control methane emissions:
1. Combust methane with flares (open and enclosed)
The new rule requires landfills to eventually stop using open flares and to use enclosed flares that destroy 99% of methane gas.
Most landfills have at least a flare, which burns methane gas, but open flares aren’t as efficient as enclosed flares. Enclosed flares cover the flame in a cylindrical shroud, which helps distribute temperature evenly, destroying methane more efficiently.
2. Combust methane to create energy
Under the new rule, landfill owners and operators could use energy recovery devices – such as combustion engines or gas turbines – that destroy 97% of all methane gas.
Combusting or burning methane to generate energy requires separating methane gas from other landfill gas and then sending it to internal combustion engines or gas turbines, where it is combusted and turned into electricity.
3. Treat and process methane to sell
The new rule will require treatment and processing systems to maintain a methane leak rate of 3% or less.
For methane to be sold and used, it must be separated from other components of landfill gas using treatment and processing technologies. When methane is pure enough, it’s considered a renewable natural gas that can power transportation, cooking, home heating, electricity, and more.
“All three of these methods end with methane being combusted and turned into water and carbon dioxide,” says Philip Gent, engineering and permitting section manager in the Air Quality Program. “As methane is more detrimental in the short term, the conversion of methane to carbon dioxide reduces the impact to the environment.”
Most Washington landfills already have systems in place to control their methane gas emissions. However, some will need to install new equipment to meet the regulations. The State Legislature has appropriated $15 million from Climate Commitment Act funds to help landfill owners obtain the technology required for compliance, and Ecology anticipates opening a new grant program in summer 2024 to distribute the money.
Protecting the environment and public health
Unfortunately, the combustion of landfill gas generates pollutants itself. However, a recent supplement to an Ecology State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) report found that flares and other combustion devices are still the best way to reduce methane and other toxic air contaminants contained in landfill gas. Research shows that combusting landfill gas is better for public health and the environment than emitting methane to outdoor air without controls.
Perhaps the best way to prevent methane from escaping from landfills is to make sure the banana peel never makes it to the trash in the first place. “The reduction of organic waste in the landfill directly results in less methane produced in the landfill,” says Gent.
This is the goal of the Organics Management Law of 2022, which requires state and local governments, businesses, and other organizations to divert organic materials from municipal solid waste landfills toward beneficial uses, such as creating compost and crop nutrients, and getting food to people at risk of hunger.
Until all organic waste is diverted from landfills, this new rule will help mitigate harmful effects of methane emissions on the planet and people. It is another important way Washington is leading the effort to combat climate change and taking steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state by 95% below 1990 levels by 2050.
“Reducing methane emissions is one of the best strategies for mitigating the impacts of climate change in the near term,” says Bill Flagg, air quality planner and rulemaking lead.
While there are exceptions, this law will apply to all municipal landfills that received solid waste after Jan. 1, 1992.
IN FOCUS: Bill to Increase Protections on over 126,500 Acres of Olympic National Forest Passes Senate Committee
Legislation would also preserve 464 miles of critical river systems vital to WA’s $270 million shellfish industry./ From a press release 12/ 18/23
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources passed the Wild Olympics Wilderness and Scenic Rivers Act (S.1254). The historic legislation would permanently protect more than 126,500 acres of Olympic National Forest as wilderness, as well as 19 rivers and their major tributaries—a total of 464 river miles—as Wild and Scenic Rivers. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of the committee, celebrated the bill’s passage:
“On the docket and passed was a priority by Senator Murray, Senate Bill 1254, the Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. This is an important piece of legislation that would designate over 126,000 acres of Olympic Forest as wilderness and protect 464 miles of the Olympic Peninsula by designating it as wild and scenic rivers. So, I very much appreciate this legislation moving out of the committee,” said Sen. Cantwell at the hearing last week.
The Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act would:
Designate approximately 126,554 acres of land in the Olympic National Forest as wilderness and an additional 5,346 acres as potential wilderness;
Designate approximately 464 miles of rivers within Olympic National Park and on nearby national forest and state lands as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System;
Create 19 new Wild and Scenic Rivers plus their tributaries. Those rivers are listed HERE;
Protect and grow existing recreational access on the Olympic National Forest;
Protect vital river and streams throughout the Olympic National Forest with no impact to timber jobs; and;
Protect rivers and streams vital to the future of Washington’s shellfish industry. Washington state shellfish growers support jobs for hundreds of area residents and provide an estimated $270 million economic impact statewide.
The proposal enjoys strong support from the local community. A compilation of over 800 elected officials, tribes, businesses, and hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation organizations can be found here.
Sen. Cantwell has been a steadfast advocate for protecting national forests, public lands, and supporting the State of Washington’s outdoor recreation economy. Sen. Cantwell authored and championed the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act, which allocated $6.5 billion to address long overdue maintenance projects across America’s beloved national parks. The legislation also permanently and fully funded the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) at $900 million annually, and was signed into law in August 2020. In 2023, Sen. Cantwell introduced the bipartisan Recreation for All Act to direct the four primary land management agencies to increase outdoor recreation opportunities.
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS:
Clallam County Commission meeting for 12/26/23
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12262023-1026
Clallam County work session for 12/26/23
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12262023-1027
Weekly devotional
BIBLE VERSE: Luke 2:11-14 (New International Version)
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Weekly Bible Lesson: God Has Joined Jesus to the Church
The church is indestructible. We have already seen that in Matthew 16:18. Jesus said the gates of Hades would not prevail against the building of the kingdom, or the church. But, also there is a passage in Hebrews 12:28 where the writer declares, “Wherefore, receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have grace, whereby we may offer service well-pleasing to God with reverence and awe.” Notice: “...receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken.” The church is an indestructible kingdom. In Luke 8:11, in the parable of the sower, the seed is the Word of God. Wherever the seed is planted—that is, wherever the Word of God is planted in the hearts of men and those hearts are good hearts, good soil, the kingdom comes forth.--TFTW
https://truthfortheworld.org/god-has-joined-jesus-to-the-church
Free bible studies (WBS)
https://www.worldbibleschool.org/
Learn English using the bible as text (WEI)
http://www.worldenglishinstitute.org/
(Join us in worship every Sunday starting at 10:30AM Church of Christ)
1233 E Front St, Port Angeles, WA 98362
The Chosen: About the life of Christ
https://watch.angelstudios.com/thechosen
THIS WEEK'S VIDEOS:
Did REPUBLICANS just vote to 'THROW AWAY the 4th Amendment'?!
The House of Representatives recently voted FOR an extension of FISA Section 702, which allows for the warrantless surveillance of American citizens in certain cases. But this wasn't a Democratic effort. 147 Republicans voted for it along with most of the Democrats. Glenn speaks with one of the Republicans who opposed the extension, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), who believes Congress just "threw away the 4th Amendment." Rep. Massie explains the dirty tricks that the House used to pass the extension, including tying it to a defense package and giving legislators a "false choice" to either pass it or doom the world. So, is there any hope that this can be fixed?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxeydHj-mqI
Sunday Worship - 12/17/2023 (Four Lakes C. of C)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bg4DbkXtC6c
Instrumental Christmas Music 2024: 3 Hours Calm, Relax, Study 🎁 Relaxing Christmas Soft Piano Music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qCRlF-WnJo
NIGHT OWL COMICS PRESENTS: THE ANICENTS
The Ancients
Chapter two: Jupiter's Road to destiny
Time frame: The age of Aquarius
By, Peter Ripley (aka Peter Leo on IMVU.com)
Minerva confronts Vulcan and his wife
They rode into the village, and as the approached the cave home of Vulcan, Minerva could hear an argument going on inside, she heard Vulcan arguing with another woman, she ordered the two guards to stay, and come with her as she entered the cave dwelling, she overheard the other woman say to Vulcan, “ You are a cheat! You sleeping with another woman, I'm your wife!”
Vulcan ordered her to shut up saying, “ You foolish woman, don't you know I only was seeing her because she can make us rich, she means nothing to me!”
Minerva, along with the guards enter the dwelling and interrupted Vulcan, and the other woman and said, “ So I mean nothing to you huh?!” She then asked Vulcan, Who is she?”
The other woman answered instead and said, “I'm his wife!”
Minerva answered her and said, “ That's alright, I get the picture, he's all yours honey.”
Then she directed her focus on Vulcan and said, “ You're not getting a single coin! Stay here with your woman!” The other woman responded to Minerva saying, “ Please take me with you, I won't stay another moment with this looser.” Minerva answered, “ Okay you can ride in the cart with me.” They started to leave when Vulcan tried to stop them from leaving, but the two guards prevented him from even touching the two women who went out the door, they pointed their weapons on him. He protested saying, “ Hey you can't take my cart, and mule!” As the women started to leave in the cart, Minerva shouted back, “ My husband will see to it, that it will be returned.”
The the cart, and the two armed escort rode off back to the village of Troy. Vulcan was left standing in his home alone.
The Port Angeles Globe is a weekly Publication, every Saturday-- Publisher, Peter Ripley
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