Dive Brief:
- Montgomery, AL will pay a $12,000 fine to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) over its inability to comply with municipal landfill regulations.
- The city and agency reached an agreement after an investigation determined that the flaring and gas collection system at the landfill site were inadequate.
- The breach in the system was discovered during an inspection on February 20. Inspectors found the gas wells were damaged and the gas collection system was inoperable.
Dive Insight:
Chris Conway, the Montgomery Public Works Director, said the issue began when a gas contract expired, giving the city only a small window of time to react.
That, in turn, facilitated the decision to flare the gas that was previously diverted to another company for use -- which led to the discovery that the flare was not operating properly. To remedy the situation, the city will install new equipment.
