SAN FRANCISCO – The Bay Area Air Quality Management District announced today that it has fined the West Contra Costa Sanitary Landfill, currently operated by Republic Services, $160,000 for air quality violations which occurred in 2019 at the landfill located in Richmond.
While the West Contra Costa County Sanitary Landfill has been closed since 2007, Republic Services is required to operate its landfill gas collection system to continuously control the landfill gases that are produced. Methane, carbon dioxide and other gases are generated because of the decomposition of organic waste which must be captured through an abatement system. Non-compliance with Air District regulations has resulted in 13 Notices of Violation issued for well and surface leaks, positive pressure, visible emissions, inoperative gas collection system and related violations.
“In addition to the negative impact on air quality in the surrounding community, the methane in landfill gas is a powerful greenhouse gas contributing to climate change,” said Dr. Philip Fine, executive officer of the Air District. “It’s critically important that facility system components are properly maintained to ensure that local air quality and the global climate remain protected.”
The Air District issues Notices of Violation when facilities violate an air quality regulation or rule. Violators are generally required to respond to the notice within 10 days and submit a description of the actions they will take to correct the problem. These actions can include shutting down certain operations immediately or changing operations or equipment to come into compliance.
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is the regional agency responsible for protecting air quality in the nine-county Bay Area.
