News

Ag groups seek delay in reporting air emissions

The EPA and ag groups are seeking a delay in the November 15th deadline to report on-farm air emissions from manure.

All Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) that emit more than 100 pounds of ammonia or hydrogen sulfide per day are required to report emissions.

The EPA has asked a federal court to delay the mandate so it could help farmers prepare to comply. The National Pork Producers Council and the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association filed a brief in support of the EPA’s motion to delay the deadline to give the agency more time to help farmers adapt and develop a system to comply with reporting emissions.

According to the National Pork Producers Council, between 60,000 and 100,000 livestock and poultry farmers will need to file air emissions reports with the U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center (NRC) as well as written reports to regional EPA offices within 30 days of reporting to the NRC.

Earlier this year, a D.C. court ruled in favor of environmental groups and rejected the rule that would exempt farmers from reporting releases of hazardous substances. Since 2008, farms of all sizes had been exempt from reporting under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Emergency Planning Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA).