Landfill Emissions Reduction Grant Program

​​Eligible Projects must meet the requirements of “Type 1" or “Type 2" as described below to qualify for the program: 

Type 1: Projects at any landfill in Oregon that result in methane emissions reductions above and beyond what is required by all applicable federal and state air quality and solid waste regulations.

Requirements to Review, as applicable to the proposed project:

• Requirements in Oregon's Landfill Gas Emissions regulations, Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 340, Division 239.

• Requirements in Oregon's Solid Waste regulations, OAR Chapter 340 Divisions 093, 094, and 095.

• Requirements for methane emissions monitoring, reporting, collection or control in an Air Contaminant Discharge Permit or Title V Operating Permit.

• Requirements in the Oregon GHG Reporting Program, OAR Chapter 340, Division 215. 
  

• Federal requirements, including:

• New Source Performance Standards, 40 CFR Part 60, subparts XXX and WWW;

• Emission Guidelines, 40 CFR Part 60, subpart Cc and Cf, including Oregon Administrative Rules implementing these regulations at OAR Chapter 340, Division 236; and

• National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, 40 CFR Part 63, subpart AAAA. 
  

Type 2: Projects at Municipal Solid Waste landfills that have a design capacity less than 2.5 million megagrams (Mg) or 2.5 million cubic meters (m3) and are not a major source of hazardous air pollutants  or collocated with a major source of HAPs. The Proposer must demonstrate that Project funds will be used to comply with and exceed applicable requirements of Oregon's landfill gas requirements, OAR chapter 340, Division 239. In addition, the Proposer must demonstrate that it complies with applicable state solid waste regulations.

Requirements to Review:

• Demonstrate that the landfill has a design capacity less than 2.5 million megagrams (Mg) or 2.5 million cubic meters (m3); and

• Demonstrate that the landfill is not a major source of HAPs or collocated with a major source of HAPs; and
  

• Demonstrate that the project meets and exceeds the requirements of Oregon's landfill gas emissions rules, OAR chapter 340, Division 239; and

• Must comply with requirements that are applicable to the proposed project in Oregon's Solid Waste regulations, OAR Chapter 340, Divisions 093, 094, and 095.
  

• Modeled projection of GHG emissions through 2050 without intervention (Landfill Emission Reduction Grant funding).
• Modeled projection of GHG emissions reductions through 2050 with proposed intervention. Calculations for greenhouse gas emissions reductions are based on avoided methane emissions due to the Project.
• All modeling must be performed using calculation methods contained in 40 CFR Part 98 Greenhouse Gas Reporting Methodology (See Resources 7.1).  Proposer must “show its work" including all relevant data inputs and modeling parameters, in sufficient detail to allow DEQ to independently check modeling results.
• Proposers may supplement modeled projection of GHG emissions reductions with proposed intervention with alternative calculation methods if the calculations in 40 CFR Part 98 do not account for the proposed reduction methodology; and must include sufficient documentation to justify the methods used.  The Proposer must submit this alternative in addition to the 40 CFR 98 methodology and include a detailed justification of how the alternative calculation methodology is more appropriate for the project proposal.
• Description of how Project emissions reductions will be measured. Due to the wide range of eligible mitigation technology, DEQ is not providing a specific model to use for measuring emissions reductions. The Proposer must submit the following:
• Description of the emissions reduction estimation method, including all applicable measurements, monitoring, sampling, and analysis.
• Detailed information on how the reduction projections are prepared.​

• Private entities
• Tribal Nations
• Non-Profit 501(c)(3) and (c)(4) status, including fiscally sponsored organizations
• Public entities including:
• Local governments
• City Governments
• County Governments
• Organizations created through intergovernmental agreements

• Construction, procurement, and installation of equipment or materials
• Final engineering, construction verification, and reporting
• Personnel time directly attributable to the project
• Monitoring and verification activities
• Fees for required permits, permit modifications, or solid waste engineering design reports, plans and specifications
• Necessary professional services
• Indirect costs up to a maximum of 15% of total project costs, in line with 2 CFR 200 Subpart E, unless Proposer has a federally negotiated indirect rate.

Can a single landfill apply for multiple projects?

Yes. In fact, DEQ will require multiple applications in such a case. For example, if a landfill owner wanted to install vertical wells in a closed cell, install wellfield optimization systems at an existing wellfield, and install a biocover (oxidation layer) in a third area of the landfill, each of these would require a separate application. This approach will allow DEQ to ensure that statewide funds are used to accomplish the greatest possible reduction in GHG emissions.

What is the application scoring criteria?

Scoring Matrix Proposal Minimum Qualifications and Eligibility Requirements (Pass/Fail)
Documentation satisfies the minimum qualification and eligibility requirements as outlined in Section 3.

100 Point Maximum
Project Workplan, Timeline, and Scope (25 points possible)
The project workplan, timeline, and scope are clearly articulated, feasible, and comprehensive.
Budget (10 points possible)
Line-item budget aligns with the proposal narrative and requirements and provides clear descriptions of all expenditures.
Innovation (5 points possible)
Creative approaches or technologies that have demonstrated potential to enhance methane mitigation efforts at other landfills are implemented in the proposed project.
Cost Effective GHG Reduction (60 points possible)
An assessment of cost-effectiveness defined as GHG emissions reduction from the date of anticipated award (July 2026) through December 31, 2049, divided by Landfill Emission Reduction Grant funds requested (MT CO2e per dollar). The qualifying proposal with the highest cost-effectiveness will receive 60 points, while other proposals will receive fewer than 60 points, in proportion to their cost-effectiveness relative the most cost-effective proposal.   

Type 1 Project Bonus: (+5)
Project proposals that successfully demonstrate their qualification as a Type 1 project will receive 5 bonus points..

What are the DEQ Permitting Implications?

If awarded, the Proposer may be responsible for submitting the following documentation, depending on the Project's complexity: applicable permit applications and permit modifications; a design report (or design basis memorandum for less complex projects) including final engineering rationale, calculations and analysis;  final design plans and specifications or design plan modifications; a construction quality assurance plan and a final construction report to their respective DEQ Air Quality or Solid Waste Project Managers/Permit Writer(s) prior to the implementation phase of the Project. Permitting and design plan costs directly related to the project are eligible project costs under this program. 

What administrative requirements apply to these grants?

. As a subrecipient of a  federal grant, all federal requirements and regulations flow down to Landfill Emission Reduction Grant recipients. Further details will be outlined in the RFGP.

Are Landfill Emission Reduction Grant recipients subject to Build America, Buy America (BABA) compliance?

Yes. The Landfill Emissions Reductions funding was awarded to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality through the EPA's Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program. Therefore, subwardees are subject to BABA compliance. Please refer to the EPA's Frequently asked Questions document for CPRG funding recipients. Further details will be outlined in the RFGP. 

Are Landfill Emission Reduction Grant recipients subject to Davis Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA) compliance?

Yes. The Landfill Emissions Reductions funding was awarded to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality through the EPA's Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program. Therefore, subawardees are subject to DBRA compliance. Please refer to the EPA's CPRG DBRA Frequently Asked Questions Guidance Document. Further details will be outlined in the RFGP.

Other Questions not Answered above? Please submit your questions to the Landfill Emissions reduction Grant Teams at LERG.DEQ.Oregon.Gov

• Sept. 25, 2025 Session Recording​