As Michigan faces growing concerns over landfill emissions, researchers have launched the third phase of a major methane detection study that could bring answers.
Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases. The study, funded by the Environmental Research and Education Foundation, or EREF, in partnership with FluxLab, tests methane detection technologies under real world conditions. Earlier tests using drones, trucks, and towers showed big differences in detection. This phase adds satellites, aircraft, overnight tests, and detailed weather and terrain data.
Bryan Staley, CEO of EREF, 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 said. “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’re going to 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 boosts state efforts to improve methane capture and detection.
The Environmental Protection Agency tracks landfill emissions, but outdated methods may underestimate them by half. New rules also aim to curb underreported methane.
