Revision to the Research, Development and Demonstration Permits Rule for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is publishing a final rule to revise the maximum permit term for Municipal Solid Waste Landfill (MSWLF) units operating under Research, Development and Demonstration (RD&D) permits. The RD&D permit program, which began in 2004, allows landfill facilities to utilize innovative methods that vary from the run-on control systems, liquids restrictions, and final cover criteria prescribed in 40 CFR part 258 if these systems are determined by the Director of an approved State to be at least as protective as those criteria. The current rule limits permits for these units to three years, and they are renewable three times for a total permit term of 12 years. This revision allows the Director of an approved State to increase the number of permit renewals to six, for a total permit term of up to 21 years.