Michigan LFG-to-energy facility to pay $750,000 over Clean Air Act violations

A settlement has been reached between the U.S. Justice Department, the state of Michigan, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Arbor Hills Energy LLC over reported Clean Air Act violations at a Salem Township landfill.

As reported by ClickOnDetroit.com, Arbor Hills Energy has agreed to significantly reduce –if not virtually eliminate—its sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions at its landfill gas-to-energy facility to resolve the alleged violations.

State and federal officials claim Arbor Hills Energy had several Clean Air Act violations, including exceedances of the facility’s permitted SO2 emissions limits. This pollutant causes harm to human health and the environment once emitted into the air, including premature death, heart attacks, respiratory problems and adverse environmental effects.

“This settlement makes important progress in improving air quality near the AHE Facility,” said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. “My office is also addressing air pollution from the adjacent landfill in the case I filed on behalf of Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) in 2020 against the landfill owner. Combined, when completed, this work will dramatically improve the impact both facilities have had on the surrounding communities.”

The facility converts landfill gas (LFG) into electricity by burning it in four gas turbines. Under the settlement, Arbor Hills Energy will either construct a renewable natural gas facility that converts LFG into pipeline quality natural gas and would virtually eliminate SO2 emissions or install a sulfur treatment system that achieves a 64 percent reduction in SO2 emissions by March 2023.

Arbor Hills Energy will also pay a civil penalty of $750,000, according to ClickOnDetroit.com, which will be split evenly between the U.S. and Michigan.