EGLE Issues Odor Violation and Red Glow in Sky over Salem

Violation Issued for Recent Odors

On October 5th and 6th over 60 odor complaints were submitted by residents living downwind of the Arbor Hills Landfill. All odor complaints are immediately forwarded to the Arbor Hills Landfill management, local community leaders, and EGLE to address the odors. EGLE responded to the sharp increase in complaints by conducting odor surveillance tours of the locations noted in the odor complaints.  On October 10th, EGLE issued a Violation Notice to Green for Life for creating nuisance odors outside of their property boundary. <Click Here> for a copy of the Violation Notice.   

The excess emissions and nuisance odors are originating from the recently opened Cell 6 at the Arbor Hills Landfill. Apparently, Cell 6 is generating noxious odors much sooner than GFL expected as the Gas Collection and Control System (GCCS) for Cell 6 is not fully operational. The odors and excess emissions from Cell 6 could have been avoided if the GCCS had been operational.  

The excess emissions and odors were predictable. On July 13th, The Conservancy Initiative warned the community of the possibility of odors when Cell 6 was put into service.  On September 21, 2023, EGLE conducted an on-site inspection, including an abbreviated Surface Emission Monitoring (SEM) scan. During the SEM, EGLE detected excess methane emissions from the surface of the landfill in the vicinity of Cell 6 and recommended the Cell 6 GCCS be put into service ASAP. GFL has indicated it may need until mid-January to get the GCCS fully operational. We hope this Violation Notice will motivate GFL to find a way to get the GCCS operational much sooner to correct the noxious odors.  

This sequence of events highlights the importance of odor complaints when odors are present in our community. The Violation Notice would not have been issued without the community’s odor complaints. Please continue to submit odor complaints whenever noxious odors are present. Odor complaint data and Violation Notices will be useful evidence when the community opposes a request to increase the landfill’s capacity.   

Red Sky at Night ….

The Conservancy Initiative has received several questions concerning the pulsating red glow in the sky which is originating from the Arbor Hills Landfill. When the Red Glow in the sky has been observed, it has been traced to a large flame on the new flare stack installed as part of the Renewable Natural Gas plant. A low ceiling (cloud cover) enhances the visibility of the Red Glow.  

The flare is a safety device and its main purpose is to burn off-specification natural gas. Based on discussions with EGLE, we do not believe any obvious violations are associated with the flare. Most likely, Arbor Hills is experiencing start-up issues with the Renewable Natural Gas Plant resulting in the low quality natural gas being produced which cannot be sold and must be directed to the flare.  

The Conservancy Initiative fully expects the Red Glow in the sky will be short-lived as the off-specification natural gas must be costing GFL a boatload of money.