As Michigan faces growing concerns over landfill emissions, researchers have launched the third phase of a major methane detection study which could bring much-needed answers.

Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases. The study, funded by the Environmental Research and Education Foundation, in partnership with FluxLab, tests methane detection technologies under real-world conditions. Earlier tests using drones, trucks, and towers showed big differences in detection. The third phase adds satellites, aircraft, overnight tests, and detailed weather and terrain data.

Bryan Staley, president and CEO of the foundation, shared the most surprising part of the study.

“Even just detecting the methane releases with these high-tech approaches was not as straightforward as we thought it would be,” Staley explained. “The work that we have undertaken is helping advance that ball pretty quickly to get a better understanding of why that was happening and how we can make improvements with those technologies.”

With more than 40 active landfills, Michigan ranks among the top 10 methane polluters, driven by high waste volumes and imports. A 2023 law boosted state efforts to improve methane capture and detection.

In the first two phases of the study, researchers tested at a closed landfill in Canada. Results showed no clear front-runner. The second phase incorporated weather and wind factors, with input from global tech providers. Those results are forthcoming.

Staley emphasized detecting methane where waste is placed is common but there are cases where its presence in a landfill raises concerns.

“It would be more concerning if you’re seeing methane coming from an area of the landfill that is not receiving the waste,” Staley pointed out. “Those are the kinds of emissions that should be detected and mitigated for and basically fixed.”

The Environmental Protection Agency tracks landfill emissions but outdated methods may underestimate them by half. New rules also aim to curb underreported methane.

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