The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has announced it has fined the operators of the West Contra Costa Sanitary Landfill $160,000 for air quality violations that occurred between 2019 and 2023 at the Richmond facility.
The landfill, operated by Republic Services, has been closed since 2007.
Landfills don’t just shut down in a day. They continue to produce gasses caused by the decomposition of organic waste, like methane and carbon dioxide.
The West Contra Costa site had received 13 Notices of Violation beginning in 2019 for issues including well and surface leaks, visible emissions and an inoperative gas collection system, according to an air district spokesperson on Monday. The last notice was issued in 2023.
“The problems which led to the issuance of violation notices have all been corrected,” he said, explaining why the fine was issued so long after the violations. “The settlement of violation notices usually involves a lengthy period of investigation and a considerable period of legal back and forth between the regulated entity and the air district.”
“In addition to the negative impact on air quality in the surrounding community, the methane in landfill gas is a powerful greenhouse gas contributing to climate change,” said Philip Fine, executive officer of the air district. “It’s critically important that facility system components are properly maintained to ensure that local air quality and the global climate remain protected.”