The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released interim guidance Oct. 26 for livestock and poultry producers who must report ongoing air releases of hazardous substances, typically ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, to the EPA by Nov 15.
Since 2008 the EPA exempted all but larger farm facilities from reporting continuous air releases of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, but an April 2017 decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit Court struck down the exemption.
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said the “EPA is working diligently to address the undue regulatory burden on American farmers.”
Unless the DC Circuit Court takes further action, the court’s decision takes effect Nov. 15 for all livestock and poultry facilities — such as swine, beef cattle, dairy cattle, poultry and horses — and will require facilities to report ongoing air releases that equal or exceed the reportable quantity of 100 pounds of ammonia or hydrogen sulfide within any 24-hour period.
Facilities that emit reportable quantities must make an initial continuous release notification to the EPA by calling the National Response Center at 800-424-8802. The facilities can then follow up with a written continuous release report to the EPA Region 7 office.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said it will not be collecting the air-pollution information, so there is no need for livestock operators to call the DNR or your local emergency management office.
For more information about who must report and how to estimate emissions, including examples, visit the EPA’s Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) web page.
Interested parties have until Nov. 24 to direct email comments or suggestions on the EPA’s interim guidance to CERCLA103.guidance@epa.gov.
