Missouri AG settles with landfill owner

ST. LOUIS (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced an agreement Thursday with the owner of the Bridgeton Landfill to resolve allegations of an underground fire and an ongoing odor nuisance.

Under the terms of an amended agreement, Republic Services must enact a series of new measures to monitor the migration of the landfill's subsurface smolder. The measures include carbon monoxide testing in the south quarry every 60 days, carbon monoxide testing in the north quarry every 60 days and monthly comprehensive carbon monoxide testing in the neck-area separating the north and south quarries.

Carbon monoxide and temperature data help analysts better understand the location and movement of the site's smoldering event. The state is attempting to keep the fire from reaching the radioactive material at the West Lake Landfill.

Republic must also implement a new odor control plan, which includes using a new technology to detect and log odor nuisance events, using a vapor recovery system, closing and removing tanks that were used to treat leachate at the site, and using a backup flare system to burn off odorous gases on site.

"Protection of public health and the safety of the community remain our highest priorities as we move ahead to control the fire and the odor," Koster said. "Our goal is to ensure that Republic keeps the fire from reaching the West Lake Landfill as we move forward on a final determination on penalties against Republic."

Republic agreed to reimburse the state of Missouri for costs associated with monitoring and oversight at the landfill. Under an agreed order last year, Republic agreed to pay the state $900,000. The company will now reimburse the state as much as $1.49 million for oversight costs. The state retains the ability to seek recovery of future costs that go above the revised expense cap.