Oklahoma can now enforce federal rules on landfill emissions

The US environmental regulators have approved Oklahoma's plan to control air pollution from its landfills. This means the state can now legally enforce federal guidelines on how much methane and other gases landfills can release.

Landfills are a major source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Until now, Oklahoma did not have an approved plan to make its landfills reduce these emissions. This approval means the state can start requiring specific actions from landfill operators, like installing gas collection systems.