The owners of a landfill near Lawrence will have to pay more than $34,000 in upgrades and penalties for violating clean air regulations. The Environmental Protection Agency announced the fine this week for the Hamm Landfill, which is just north of Lawrence. During an inspection in March 2022, the EPA found the landfill was emitting an illegal volume of methane gas and failed to correct it. Methane, like carbon dioxide, is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change by trapping heat. But it’s far more potent.
Landfills can release huge amounts of methane, contributing to both climate change and air pollution that can harm the health of area residents. In a news release, the EPA said Hamm will pay a $4,206 penalty and spend about $30,000 to better monitor air pollution.
