Northville - January 9, 2020
Fortistar Responds to Violation Notice by Taking Issue with the EGLE Inspection Process
In early December 2019 the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) issued a Violation Notice to Fortistar Methane (also known as Arbor Hills Energy) - see prior posting for details. Fortistar owns and operates the “landfill gas to energy plant” at Arbor Hills and has been continuously exceeding the allowable level of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) emissions since mid-2015. The Violation Notice continues to address the same issues identified in a significant Violation Notice issued on February 1, 2019 which have not been corrected.
This week Fortistar used an attorney (Matthew B. Eugster of VARNUM – Attorneys at Law) to submit a response to the December Violation Notice which did not address the issues identified by EGLE but instead took issue with EGLE’s inspection process.
A company committed to environmental compliance should be able to correct all the cited violations. The most significant violation involves excess SO2 emissions which have continuously exceeded allowable limits since May 2015. A competitor’s landfill in Riverview MI corrected a similar violation by cooperating with EGLE, installing equipment to safely remove sulfur from the landfill gas, and obtaining a new permit. Other violations include knowingly venting odorous gases directly to the atmosphere (they should be routed to a flare) and the unpermitted combustion of diesel fuel.
The Conservancy Initiative believes Fortistar’s response is unacceptable and seems to demonstrate a company that is not committed to sustainability or in becoming a respected member of the community.
Advanced Disposal Service Appoints a New Landfill General Manager
The new landfill General Manager, Don Klindig, is now on-site. The Conservancy Initiative optimistically wishes Mr. Klindig every success in bringing the Arbor Hills Landfill into compliance with all applicable environmental regulations and ensuring a sustainable community for those impacted by the Arbor Hills Landfill.