October 29th, 2024 Sniffer Robotics was invited to present to the USEPA, which is seeking to draft updated regulations for landfill methane detection by the end of the year.
The workshop, hosted at the EPA headquarters in Durham, NC, focused on advanced technologies for detecting landfill gas emissions. David Barron, CTO, presented how drone surface emissions monitoring (DSEM) using the OTM-51 method is highly sensitive to detecting landfill gas emissions because methane is a heavy gas that escapes from the landfill at low ejection velocities, becoming trapped in the grass. When OTM-51 (or Method 21) samples are collected at the required ground-level altitude (<10cm), these methods are very accurate in identifying the "puddle" of methane before it disperses into a plume. Currently, Method 21 and OTM-51 are the only approved methods for EPA compliance regarding monitoring landfill methane emissions.
In sharp contrast, alternative satellite and drone technologies depend on aerial plume detection, a method that is not currently approved for EPA compliance. Although many of these technology providers are pursuing approval, the tight timeframe—especially considering the change in administration—suggests that additional approvals will be unlikely.
Considering the limited time for the EPA to publish a draft, David recommended that the agency prioritize a complete approval of OTM-51, rather than an approved alternate method. He also emphasized the need to refine the specifications for Method 21 to ensure operators execute the method correctly. This approach presents a low-risk pathway towards achieving the EPA's climate objectives and helps reduce the likelihood of lawsuits from landfill operators.
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