Sludge Watch ==> Air Emissions Data Gathered from CAFOs - what about sewage sludged lands? composts?

[Maureen Reilly]

Sludgewatch Admin:

Hmmm...EPA is going to study air emissions from CAFOs (concentrated animal feeding operations).
Well, what about the air emissions from sewage sludged fields? from sewage treatment plants?  from sludge compost sites?
It seems that the EPA has moved to exempt these latter operations from the rigors of air emissions accountability.

Geez...we have a pretty good idea what is coming out of a chicken or a cow. But these sewage based facilities are releasing
green house gases and pathgens, and industrial toxins, mercury, and goodness knows what else.

When will we see air emissions studies for them?

If you have such studies...please post.


.................................................................................................

More information on the AFO Air Compliance Agreement: 
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/agreements/caa/cafo-agr-0604.html  

EPA's mission is to protect our nation's land, air and
water. 
Citizens can help by reporting potential environmental
violations at: http://www.epa.gov/tips  



News for Release: Tuesday, August 22, 2006 R229 


U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 


Contact: Dave Ryan, (202) 564-4355 / ryan.dave at epa.gov 

(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.  

"The AFOs agreements bring us closer to ensuring clean
air compliance across our nation," said Granta Y Nakayama, EPA's
Assistant Administrator for the Office of Enforcement and Compliance
Assurance. "This innovative approach will provide the best available
science to guide EPA's decision making in a way that is good for the
environment, good for agriculture and good for the American people." 

EPA began to realize in the late 1990's that it didn't
have sufficient air emissions data to determine potential regulatory
requirements for AFOs under the Clean Air Act (CAA), so to resolve the
situation it began discussions with AFOs owners in 2001. 

These discussions led to a Jan. 31, 2005 EPA Federal
Register notice offering individual AFOs an opportunity to voluntarily
sign-- by Aug. 12, 2005-- a consent agreement committing them to conduct
a nationwide study to monitor and get a better handle on the nature of
their air emissions. This consent agreement also resolves certain air
violations under the Clean Air Act, as well as the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) - also
known as Superfund - and the Emergency Planning and Community
Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). 

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.  This approach will achieve compliance with environmental
laws much faster than any other enforcement mechanism. 

As an incentive for AFOs to participate, EPA agreed not
to bring certain enforcement actions against participating AFOs during
the course of the monitoring survey; however, all participants must pay
a penalty that is based on the number of animals maintained at the
operation and must assure compliance with the CAA, CERCLA, and EPCRA
once EPA publishes the emissions methodology. 

The EAB is an impartial, independent body that acts as
the final decision maker on administrative appeals under all major
environmental statutes that EPA administers.  
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