Wyden, Merkley, Hoyle Urge EPA to Investigate Landfill Concerns in Benton County

Washington D.C.-U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representative Val Hoyle today urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to thoroughly and expeditiously complete its investigation into concerns about Republic Services Coffin Butte Landfill in Benton County.

"This 178-acre landfill accepts over 1 million tons of waste annually from nearly two dozen Oregon counties and southwest Washington. Surrounding communities have long been concerned about methane leakage that contributes to fire risk and climate change, strong odors, and ultimately jeopardizes worker safety and public health," the members wrote in a letter to EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan.

"We are aware that EPA's investigation in 2022 revealed dozens of methane leaks, a number of which reached highly flammable concentrations," they wrote. "We appreciate EPA Region 10's reinspection in June 2024 and its continued attention to concerns raised by our constituents. As Republic Services and Benton County consider the potential for expansion of the landfill, it is more important than ever to have all the facts."

The full letter is below.

The Honorable Michael S. Regan Administrator

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, D.C. 20460

Dear Administrator Regan,

We know the Environmental Protection Agency is in the process of an ongoing enforcement investigation of the Republic Services Coffin Butte Landfill in Benton County, Oregon, and we urge your thorough and expeditious completion of that process.

This 178-acre landfill accepts over 1 million tons of waste annually from nearly two dozen Oregon counties and southwest Washington. Surrounding communities have long been concerned about methane leakage that contributes to fire risk and climate change, strong odors, and ultimately jeopardizes worker safety and public health.

We are aware that EPA's investigation in 2022 revealed dozens of methane leaks, a number of which reached highly flammable concentrations. We appreciate EPA Region 10's reinspection in June 2024 and its continued attention to concerns raised by our constituents. As Republic Services and Benton County consider the potential for expansion of the landfill, it is more important than ever to have all the facts.

Thank you for your steadfast commitment to protecting the environmental and public health of communities in Oregon and across the nation. We stand ready to support in any way possible.

A web version of this release is here.

###

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.