Final answer:
Approximately 600 municipal solid waste landfills in the United States use combustible landfill gas to produce heat and electricity. These operations are regulated by the EPA to minimize environmental impacts and the production of renewable energy contributes to a reduction in CO2 emissions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Approximately 600 municipal solid waste landfills in the United States combust landfill gas to generate heat and electricity. Municipal solid waste landfills manage waste by the controlled combustion of methane, which is produced as waste naturally decays. This process not only helps reduce the volume of waste in landfills but also creates renewable energy, addressing both waste management and energy production challenges.
Landfill gas generation is part of a growing trend that utilizes biogas as a sustainable energy source. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates these operations, ensuring the minimization of harmful emissions and environmental impacts, while promoting the generation of heat or electricity that can replace fossil fuels and reduce CO2 emissions.