Officials pass new law to crack down on concerning problem at major landfill: ‘We’re talking about a time-sensitive issue here’

The Oregon Senate passed a bill requiring a landfill notorious for methane leaks to use advanced technology to regulate the pollution it generates.

As Oregon Public Broadcasting reported, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 726, and Gov. Tina Kotek is expected to sign it into law. The state bill requires Benton County’s Coffin Butte Landfill to invest in technology to monitor its release of methane.

To comply with a federal requirement, the landfill uses outdated handheld devices to check for methane leaks. Landfill staff members walk across acres of trash with the devices but can’t measure some sections because they’re too steep and dangerous…

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