Animal Feeding Operations
Status of the AFO Air Emissions Consent Agreement and Final Order
November 16, 2005
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Presentation Topics
Background Information Status report
Data Summary (Most Recent)
Procedural Monitoring Study Future outlook for AFO
strategy
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Background Information
EPA & USDA asked National Academy of Science (NAS) to conduct the AFO air emissions study
NAS study conclusions: No reliable emission factors for AFO
exist Additional data needed to develop
estimating methodologies Current methods for estimating
emissions not appropriate Use process-based approach
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Background Information (cont.)
Consent agreement developed in response to: Public concerns NAS report
Consent agreement developed by: EPA Industry representatives
Proposed agreement coordinated with: Agricultural industry representatives State & local government officials Environmental organizations Citizen groups
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Federal Register Notice
Signed on Jan. 21, 2005 Published on Jan. 31, 2005
70 FR 4958 “Initial” public comment period closed
on March 2, 2005-final period closed May 2, 2005
Signup period closed August 12, 2005 Information available at:
www.epa.gov/fedrgstr www.epa.gov/airlinks/airlinks3.html www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/ag
reements/caa/cafo-agr-0501.html
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Data Summary (Most Recent)
Participation to Date Over 2,700 signed Agreements received by
EPA 2,594 Agreements in our database as of
November 17, 2005, representing 6,315 farms 4,723 swine farms 639 laying operations 565 dairy farms 234 broiler farms 38 turkey farms
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Where are we in the Process?
Awaiting approval of the consent agreements by the Environmental Appeals Board (EAB)
Unofficially approved the Independent Monitoring Contractor and Science Advisor Purdue University - IMC Dr. Al Heber, Purdue University – SA
Almost finished entering Farm Information Sheet data into a database
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After EAB Approval:
The IMC has 60 days to send the QAPP and site specific monitoring plans to EPA for approval.
EPA has 30 days to review and comment on plans. If EPA does not approve, they are returned to the IMC.
IMC has 30 days to then revise and submit back to EPA.
We expect monitoring to begin in the spring of 2006.
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Monitoring Study
Purpose: gather data for developing emission estimating methodologies
Funding provided by participating AFO Monitor for:
Particulate matter Hydrogen sulfide Volatile organic compounds Ammonia
Monitoring anticipated to begin in late spring 2006 and continue for 2 years
Validated and quality assured data made available to the public-
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Monitoring Study
Focuses on three AFO sectors Swine Poultry Dairy
Types of operations Regional representation of AFO Number of farms monitored
depends on the number and type of participating AFO
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Next Steps
Emission estimating methodologies will be published within 18 months after completion of the monitoring study
Actual guidance and/or regulations will be a 3-to-5 year process, but will be concurrently developed with the monitoring study under the consent agreement.
Guidance and/or regulations developed in conjunction with overall AFO strategy encompassing industry, co-regulators, and USDA.
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Future Outlook for AFO Strategy
National Academy of Sciences developed recommendations to characterize all AFO processes
Consent Agreement/Monitoring Study is just one piece of overall strategy
Farming operations both small and large will benefit from representation in monitoring study so that their processes are included
Air Office plans to issue strategy covering, but not limited to: Regulations and/or guidance Conservation practices (best management practices, technologies) Emission estimating methodologies – short term Process based emission model – long term Outreach
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For More Information
Consent Agreement: Bruce Fergusson, Office of Enforcement and Compliance
Assurance (OECA), 202/564-1261, [email protected] Monitoring Study:
Sharon Nizich, Office of Air and Radiation (OAR), 919/541-2825, [email protected]
Air Issues: Robin Dunkins, OAR, 919/541-5335, [email protected] Bill Schrock, OAR, 919/541-5032, [email protected] Sharon Nizich, OAR, 919/541-2825, [email protected]
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