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Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP)
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About the Landfill Methane Outreach Program

Landfill Methane Outreach Program Logo - Image of a green earth above a blue flame

LMOP is a voluntary program that works cooperatively with industry stakeholders and waste officials to reduce or avoid methane emissions from landfills. LMOP encourages the recovery and beneficial use of biogas generated from organic municipal solid waste (MSW). Landfill gas (LFG) and other biogas generated from MSW (collectively referred to as biogas) contain methane, a potent greenhouse gas that can be captured and used as a renewable fuel for many end uses including electricity generation, industrial heat applications and vehicle fuel. Capturing and using biogas reduces local air pollution, creates health benefits, generates revenue and jobs in the community and may also offset the use of non-renewable resources.

Learn More About
  • LMOP Accomplishments
  • Organic Waste Management

LMOP forms partnerships with communities, landfill owners and operators, utilities, power marketers, states, project developers, Tribes and nonprofit organizations to overcome barriers to project development. LMOP focuses on LFG energy project development at MSW landfills, the largest source of methane emissions from the waste sector.

LMOP activities include:

  • Providing technical assistance, guidance materials and software to assess the potential economic feasibility of an LFG energy project.
  • Developing informational materials about the benefits of renewable energy from biogas generated from MSW, as well as opportunities to reduce emissions from existing MSW landfills.
  • Fostering partnerships and identifying financing for biogas projects.
  • Creating networking opportunities with peers and renewable energy experts.

LFG Energy Projects

LMOP tracks key data for MSW landfills in the United States. The LMOP Database contains information on LFG energy projects in various stages, shown in the first chart on this page. LMOP classifies operational LFG energy projects by type, as shown in the second chart. Explore these projects on the LMOP National Map.

 

LFG Energy Project Status Summary by Year (2005-2021)
Year Planned Projects Under Construction Projects Operational Projects Shutdown Projects
2005 - 42 393 -88
2006 - 51 419 -101
2007 - 52 447 -111
2008 - 56 486 -126
2009 - 43 520 -149
2010 - 61 541 -166
2011 - 51 562 -187
2012 - 35 591 -197
2013 21 37 609 -216
2014 17 24 614 -238
2015 27 19 609 -253
2016 22 9 602 -274
2017 28 10 591 -294
2018 31 19 582 -321
2019 44 17 570 -341
2020 54 11 555 -364
2021 51 14 546 -379
 

Operational LFG Energy Projects by Type by Year (2005-2021)
Year Electricity Direct Use RNG
2005 280 102 11
2006 297 107 13
2007 315 114 17
2008 343 123 20
2009 367 126 27
2010 388 123 30
2011 410 121 31
2012 435 123 33
2013 449 122 38
2014 457 118 39
2015 452 116 41
2016 446 115 41
2017 434 112 45
2018 419 103 60
2019 406 99 65
2020 391 92 72
2021 379 90 77

Additional Resources

  • Learn more about LFG basics
  • View information about the benefits of LFG energy
  • Learn about international landfill methane activities
  • Read a flyer: Landfill Methane Outreach Program and Landfill Gas Energy
  • View an overview presentation: LMOP and Landfill Gas Energy in the United States
  • LMOP Home
  • About LMOP
    • Join the Listserv
    • LMOP Accomplishments
  • Basic Information about Landfill Gas
  • Benefits of LFG Energy Projects
  • LMOP Landfill and Project Database
  • LMOP Partners
  • Join the Program
  • Publications
  • Tools
  • Resources
  • LMOP Webinars and Events
  • Frequent Questions about Landfill Gas
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on March 16, 2022
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