Air Quality

EPA Releases Raw NAEMS Data

As expected, on January 13, 2011, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) posted on its website the raw National Air Emissions Study (NAEMS) data for the four industries involved in the multi-year study to assess the levels of air pollutant emissions from animal operations. Those four industries were poultry-eggs, poultry-broilers, pork, and dairy. Data for each facility that participated in the study was available online, and the study ID number, county, and state of each facility that participated in the study is provided. The type of facility is also identified (lagoon, for example).

EPA issued a News Brief that provides background information on the study, explained how the data will be used, and indicated that in the future, EPA will issue a Call for Information seeking additional data from other monitoring studies of animal feeding operations emissions. EPA did not make any conclusions or interpretations in its News Brief. However, NMPF expected that some environmental groups would review the raw data and interpret it in ways that were critical of livestock operations. NMPF was prepared to counter any misinformation.

 

Update on Air Emissions Monitoring Study

The National Air Emissions Study (NAEMS) is a multi-year research effort to assess the levels of air pollutant emissions from chicken, pork, egg, and dairy animal operations.

Over a continuous 24-month period, researchers at Purdue University and seven other universities around the country collected actual on-farm air emissions data from animal operations of varying sizes, locations, and management practices.

On July 2, 2010, Purdue University, as the project leader, began submitting that data to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It is expected that all of the data will be submitted to EPA by July 30.

After the data are submitted, EPA will spend the next 18 months analyzing it and developing a model(s) that can be used to estimate on-farm air pollutant emissions in comparison to existing legal thresholds established under the Clean Air Act.

With respect to dairies – at this point – NMPF does not expect the results of the study to result in broadly-applied remediation requirements on farms. It is possible that large operations may face additional reporting requirements, but it is too early to speculate on how exactly EPA will treat these farms after its data review process ends in December 2011.


Background on Air Emissions Monitoring Study


Purdue University is overseeing the Air Emissions Monitoring Study.

 

NMPF Comments to EPA on Particulate Matter

 On January 17, 2006, EPA issued a proposed rule in the Federal Register to revise the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) of the Clean Air Act. In this proposed rule, EPA is accepting comments on changing the standards for fine particulate matter and for some course particulate matter (PM) or dust. EPA also issued a separate but related rule to amend its national air quality monitoring requirements. Both of these proposed rules have the potential to impact dairy producers.  See NMPF's Summary of the Proposed Rule for more information.

On April 17, 2006 NMPF submitted comments to EPA regarding the proposed rule to amend the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter.