CAFOS Urged to Report Air-emission Estimates
By Pork news staff
| Monday, January 19, 2009
Large pork operations — those that have 2,500 head or more of finishing swine — are being urged to call their state and local emergency response authorities to begin the reporting process under the Environmental Protection and Community Right To Know Act (EPCRA).
EPCRA covers air emissions from farms.
Under EPA regulations, large CAFOs that emit 100 pounds or more of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide during any 24-hour period must file a report. This starts with a telephone call to the emergency response authorities and then following up with a written report, which must be submitted within 30 days of the call.
National Pork Producers Council officials point out that failure to report may subject producers to severe penalties of $25,000 per day. Producers who signed the EPA Air-Consent Agreement need not submit reports until a National Air Emissions Monitoring Study is completed on or about Jan. 1, 2010.
Smaller swine operations — those that fall below the 2,500-head threshold — are not required to submit notifications.
Source: NPPC
