EPA Collaborates with Farmers on the First Nationwide Study of Air Emissions from Animal Feeding Operations
Contact: Dave Ryan, (202) 564-4355 / ryan.dave@epa.gov
(Washington, D.C. - June 14, 2007) EPA today announced the beginning of the first-ever nationwide study of air emissions from poultry, dairy and swine animal feeding operations (AFOs).
"Farmers are not only the stewards of the land, they are vital partners in the Bush Administration's efforts to accelerate the pace of environmental progress, while growing our nation's economy," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "This is a new day for cooperation between agriculture and EPA. Working together to expand our scientific understanding of air emissions from livestock operations, we can do what's good for agriculture, good for our environment, and good for the American people."
With EPA oversight, researchers from eight universities will take part in the 21/2-year, $14.6 million study to measure levels of hydrogen sulfide, particulate matter, ammonia, nitrous oxide, volatile organic compounds and other gases from livestock facilities. The research officially begins today at 24 sites in nine states. Full story
EPA Takes Next Step in Gathering Air Emissions Data from Farms
(Washington, D.C. - August 22, 2006) EPA has just gotten approval to take the next important step to gather air emissions data from agricultural animal feeding operations (AFOs) and to ensure compliance with environmental laws. This step consists of certain AFOs voluntarily taking part in a nationwide monitoring study to evaluate their air emissions.
EPA's Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) just approved the two final voluntary agreements, making a total of 2,568, representing 1,856 swine, 468 dairy, 204 egg-laying, and 40 broiler chicken (meat-bird) operations. These 2,568 agreements represent 6,267 farms (an AFO can include more than one farm). Now the industry-led monitoring survey can proceed; it is expected to begin this winter.
Within 18 months following the monitoring study's conclusion, EPA will evaluate all data and publish emission-estimating methods for AFOs. These methods will allow AFOs to estimate their emissions and comply with applicable federal regulatory requirements as appropriate.
On Monday, May 15th, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a notice in the Federal Register indicating intent to disclose farm names and addresses that were included as confidential business information (CBI) in Consent Agreement applications. EPA is proposing to disclose participating animal feeding operations' name and address and is requesting comments from the affected animal feeding operations (AFOs). EPA clearly indicated that it has no intent of disclosing to the public any other information listed as CBI.
As part of the approval process, Consent Agreements are submitted to the Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) for final review and approval. As EPA's filings with the EAB are public information, farm names and addresses will become part of the public record, regardless of whether EPA discloses this information directly. Again, no other information claimed as confidential business information is to be disclosed to the public by EPA.
EPA Appeals Board Approves Agreements For Livestock Farms to Fund Emissions
Study
The Environmental Appeals Board April 17 approved agreements
between the Environmental Protection Agency and 702 animal feeding
operations (AFOs) in which the farms will help fund a study to evaluate
air pollution emissions from livestock operations. In exchange, EPA
will agree not to sue the operations for air pollution violations during
the duration of the agreements. "The approval of these agreements
is another important step forward towards implementing a nationwide
study of air emissions from AFOs," EPA said April 20 in a statement.
EPA said it expects that the monitoring study will begin later this
year. Approximately 2,700 AFOs signed up to participate in the voluntary
agreement by Aug. 12, 2005. These included poultry, pork, and dairy
operations. The 702 agreements comprise 48 for operations that raise
egg-laying birds and 654 for swine-raising operations. EPA announced
the Environmental Appeals Board approval of the first 20 agreements
Jan. 27 (20 DER A-18, 01/31/06) . EPA said it is reviewing the remaining
agreements and plans to submit those that qualify to the EAB for review
over the next few months. The two-year study will provide EPA with
data needed to develop emissions-estimating methods and tools, which
will assist the industry and EPA in determining the air compliance
status of AFOs. According to EPA, the study will help the agency develop
methods to estimate emissions and help the agricultural industry and
the agency determine AFOs' emissions levels. This will help the industry
and EPA determine AFOs' compliance status under the Clean Air Act,
the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act, and the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act, the
agency said. The agreements have encountered strong opposition from
some states and environmental groups, which say that it lets participating
operations escape liability for what may be serious air pollution violations.
From BNA reporter, 4/24/06
PA Odor Management Regulations
Under
Act 38 of 2005, the State Conservation Commission (SCC) is required
to develop odor management regulations that outline requirements for
addressing odor impacts associated with new barns or new manure storage
facilities being built on existing or new CAOs and CAFOs.
These regulations are to be developed
with input from the Nutrient Management Advisory Board and will be
subject to the public comment and regulatory review processes. Proposed
regulations are expected to be published for public comment
in June, with final regulations anticipated for August 2007.
Odor
Management for Farmers
The Agriculture Ombudsman
program is continuing to monitor the outcome of Act 38, the resulting
odor management regulations and their impact on farmers. Odor management
training for farmers will be offered in the near future. This
training will deal with the new Act 38 regulations and odor management
options such as: vegetative barriers, feed additives, planning considerations,
etc. |
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