LANSING, Mich., Sept. 10, 2021 — Yesterday, Arbor Hills Energy (AHE) settled with the state and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to significantly reduce sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions at its Northville landfill gas-to-energy facility. SO2 is a dangerous, foul-smelling pollutant that can cause substantial harm to human health and air quality. The decision comes almost a year after the suit was initially filed in October 2020 by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), following alleged violations of the Clean Air Act and state laws.
“Today, we celebrate a monumental win for both our community and the great state of Michigan,” said Rep. Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth). “This settlement is the culmination of years of community advocacy, grassroots organization and quick responsiveness from Sen. Dayna Polehanki and myself. I would like to thank AG Nessel, EGLE, state Sen. Polehanki, Northville residents, the parents of Ridge Wood students and The Conservancy Initiative for coming together and making this settlement a reality. Thanks to their hard work and commitment to holding corporate polluters accountable, we’ve managed to improve the quality of life and air for those living in close proximity to the landfill.”
“The health and safety of our residents is of the utmost importance to me, which is why, after taking office in 2018, I helped add air quality monitoring to the Arbor Hills Consent Agreement for its work near Ridgewood Elementary, and now, joined forces with Rep. Matt Koleszar and Attorney General Dana Nessel to ensure justice for our residents in this matter,” said Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia) said. “While I’m pleased to see this settlement agreement and relieved for the residents who worked so hard to bring this issue to light, now is not the time for us to take our foot off the gas. I will continue work with my fellow state officials on amending the laws that allowed repeat violators, like Arbor Hills, from expanding their physical footprint or continue violating environmental laws.”
As part of the settlement, AHE will also be required to pay a civil penalty of $750,000, split evenly between the state and federal government, and construct either a natural gas facility or install a sulfur treatment system. The natural gas facility would turn landfill gas into usable natural gas, eliminating virtually all SO2 emission, while the sulfur treatment plant would only need to achieve a 64% reduction in SO2 emissions by a deadline of March 2023.
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