EGLE (Formerly MDEQ) VIOLATIONS NOTICES
Advanced Disposal’s Arbor Hills Landfill has received many violations from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE formerly MDEQ and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Learn more
EGLE violations, enforcements, inspections
Visit the MDEQ’s list of violations
- Fortistar December 2, 2020 | Response | Comment 
- ADS July 28, 2020 | Response | Comment 
- ADS July 27, 2020 | Response | Comment 
- ADS April 16, 2020 | Response | Comment 
- ADS March 18, 2020 Violation | Response | Comment 
- Fortistar March 3, 2020 Violation | Response | Comment 
- ADS February 27, 2020 Violation | Response | Comment 
- Fortistar December 9, 2019 Violation | Response | Comment 
- ADS November 26, 2019 Violation | Response | Comment 
- ADS November 12, 2019 Violation | Response | Comment 
- Fortistar October 22, 2019 Violation | Response 
- ADS October 21, 2019 Violation | Response 
- ADS May 24, 2019 violation | Response 
- April 11, 2019 
 Advanced Disposal | Fortistar Methane Group | Response
- March 14, 2019 
 Advanced Disposal | Fortistar | Response
- ADS Feb. 7, 2019 violation | Response 
- ADS Feb. 1, 2019 violation | Response | Fortistar delay, FOIA 
- ADS Jan 24, 2019 violation| Response 
- ADS Jan. 24, 2019 enforcement notice| Response 
- ADS Jan. 17, 2019 901 odor violation | Response 
- ADS Jan. 14, 2019 violation | Response | Well data supplement 
- Jan. 8, 2019 Fortistar Methane Group inspection report 
- ADS Jan. 2, 2019 Leachate areas of concern 
- ADS Oct. 12, 2018 violation | Response 
- ADS Aug. 31, 2018 901 odor violation | Response 
- ADS Aug 30, 2018 violation | 
- ADS Feb. 6, 2018 901 odor violation | Response | DEQ Response 
- Dec. 14, 2016 901 odor violation | Response 
 Complaint investigations Dec. 5 | Dec. 10
- Nov. 8, 2016 Arbor Hills Landfill violation 
- April 29, 2016 Arbor Hills Landfill violation 
- March 15, 2016 Arbor Hills Landfill violation 
- Feb. 2, 2016 Arbor Hills Landfill violation 
- Nov. 6, 2015 Arbor Hills Energy (FORTISTAR Methane Group) violation for sulfur dioxide | Response 
- Nov. 4, 2015 SO2 enforcement | Enforcement, permit deviation 
- Sept. 11, 2015 Arbor Hills Energy violation for sulfur dioxide emissions | Response 
- May 21, 2015 Arbor Hills Energy consent order 
- Dec. 15, 2014 FORTISTAR Methane Group violation 
EPA Violations, Responses and Settlements
On Sept. 29, 2016 the Environmental Protection Agency issued violations to three companies that operate at Arbor Hills Landfill in response to their inspections of continuing community odors.
- Violation – Arbor Hills Energy (Fortistar Methane Group) owner / operator of the landfill gas to energy plant at Arbor Hills. 
- Violation – Advanced Disposal, owner / operator of Arbor Hills Landfill 
- Violation – BFI Waste Systems owner / operator of the Arbor Hills gas collection system. (BFI sold the gas collection system to Advanced Disposal in 2018). 
1) Arbor Hills Energy (Fortistar) has not settled with the EPA. Settlement with the EPA will require decreasing SO2 emissions to comply with permit limits (they are currently out of compliance) or a new permit. Last Updated November 2019 (Can you believe it??)
2) BFI sold their interest in Arbor Hills and reached a settlement with the EPA in 2018. BFI paid a fine of $406,000.
3) a) Advanced Disposal entering into a Administrative Consent Order agreeing to make significant improvements to the gas collection and control system
b) In Sept 2019, Advanced Disposal entered into a Consent Agreement and Final Order to settle violations. The agreement requires a $50,000 fine, a H2S monitor installed at Ridgewood Elementary, and several improvements at the landfill.
EPA Support Documents
Clean Air Act inspection report – Oct. 11, 2017 (Follow-up inspection to 2017 consent order)
Final inspection report – May 27, 2016
Inspection report – Feb. 16, 2016
Air monitoring – Feb. 16-17, 2016
Historic Documents of Significance
- Republic Services response dated March 29, 2016 — includes photos of a fire, leachate running into ground water and uncovered trash. 
- December 15, 2014 – Arbor Hills Energy, FORTISTAR Methane Group violation at the Arbor Hills Landfill for carbon monoxide emissions 
- First Quarter Operating Record Evaluation FY 2017 dated Dec. 19, 2016 – written by MDEQ 
- Methane monitoring report dated March 23, 2017 
- Gas Flow Charts - These charts show the total landfill gas captured and processed at either the energy plant or flares. 

