Does Your Farm Stink? The EPA Wants to Find Out > NetSparsh

Home
>
Political
>
Does Your Farm Stink? The EPA Wants to Find Out

Does Your Farm Stink? The EPA Wants to Find Out

Farmers will eventually be facing federal regulations involving air emissions produced on their farms, that may touch on everything from spreading manure, to the exhaust fan at the barn. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its construction of the Air Quality Compliance Agreement.

According to the EPA website, its primary goals are to reduce air pollution, monitor animal feeding operation emissions, and to develop a national consensus on the methodologies for collecting and sampling emissions at the farm level. This new compliance agreement will have a bite, with the ability to levy some hefty fines. Some of the regulatory acts for which EPA will be seeking compliance are the Clean Air Act and the Right to Know Act, according to the EPA website.

A two-year planning period is being laid out, at which time volunteer feeding operations can sign up for emissions testing, at the price of $200, and allow air testing on their farms in order to set the base line standard. Ammonia is one of the biggest concerns, but many other emissions, including hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide are being tested as well. Complaints from neighbors about manure spreading and other unpleasant aromas from farm operations appears to be raising a stink, according to the Penn State website at http://nutrient.psu. edu/.

Much of the information available to the public is still undergoing transformation in wording and timeline. As with any government regulations, they tend to be very dynamic. The next two years of field testing will have significant impact on final wording. At present, the farmer-to-EPA agreement is a 41-page document, which can be viewed on the EPA website under "air quality". Stiff penalties ranging from $200 to $100,000 are presently being considered.

There was nothing we could find in our search to indicate that this agreement is limited to a particular size operation, nor that it applies only to confinement operations. It is rather open-ended, and leads one to believe that sooner or later all feed operations will be targeted for inspection. We are betting that the stinky ones are first, with the ones having complaints from city neighbors and disgruntled employees running a close second.

There are a couple hundred webpages devoted to this topic, and suggests that many sources will be inspected with regard to air quality. Any barn or structure that houses livestock, and any manure storage facility on the farm are primary targets for emissions testing with this program.

So, what does all of this mean to feeding operations in our area? Perhaps it is too early to be sure, but we're willing to stick our neck out and make some projections. First of all, operators should make themselves aware of current EPA regulations with regard to the Air Quality Compliance Agreement. One can be certain that more information is forthcoming.

No one wants to argue that clean air isn't important. It would be difficult to even argue that farms don't emit some rank odors once in awhile. For some operations, the odors may be present all year. Scientific data supports that high concentrations of certain farm emissions, and/or prolonged exposure to the same, can cause greater health risks. Pressure from surrounding communities has likely spurred these latest developments.

It will be years before the hot air of Washington wafts its way to every little feeding operation, but it will eventually come. Operators will be responsible for more testing, more paperwork, and more compliance. "Air permits" are discussed in the website as a possibility.

Operators will bear the burden of some of the costs, which are not likely to show up in increased farm revenue. With U.S. food prices being extremely stable and relatively inexpensive, the U.S. farmer has historically increased herd size in order to cash flow his/her operation. Air quality standards may reverse that trend, and in time create a reduction in overall meat and poultry supply, and perhaps help the pricing at the farm level.

But in the interim, expect more paperwork, a few seminars, and more government interest in the air emissions of your farm.

ALL of us want clean water, and clean air. This act will offer protection to those who can readily comply, and be a misery to some who cannot. For the consumer, the good news is certainly in better quality living environment for people and livestock. The bad news is that strict air quality regulations may cause the down-sizing or elimination of some herds, and on a national scale could have a negative impact on food supplies and pricing. According to the EPA, technological advances in filtering air emissions from barns and manure storages may serve as an aid to farm operations. Several prototypes are in the testing phase.

Tom Clouser is a 38 year old farmer in Pennsylvania. In addition to farming, he and his father publish a monthly 16-page newspaper called "Trees 'n' Turf", which targets subjects of interest to those in land use industries and activities. View their website at http://www.clouserfarm.net

In The News:

On Politics: The Biggest Stories of the Week The New York TimesIt's been a busy week in American politics. Here are some of the stories you might have missed.

Safecrackers, Quant Funds and Machine Politics BloombergThe weekend is here! Pour yourself a mug of Danish blend coffee, grab a seat by the window, and get ready for our longer-form weekend reads: Economics: The ...

Brexit: where the hell do we go from here? The GuardianIt is never a good sign when MPs leap too quickly to their feet to give their leaders a standing ovation. Soon after 9pm on Wednesday evening in Committee ...

Jeremy Corbyn slides in approval ratings in spite of Tory schisms The GuardianOnly 25% of voters thinks Jeremy Corbyn is decisive, according to a survey, down from 31% in October. The Labour leader's fall to his lowest score at any point ...

Has Mr Market risen above politics or is it still hoping for a vote for Modi? Economic TimesThe stock market surprised everyone during the week gone by, as there was no panic selling after the Congress' win in major states, which proved that realities ...

How would a second Brexit referendum work? The GuardianMind-boggling complexities over timing, question(s) and how votes would be counted.

The Politics of Memory in Barry Jenkins’s “If Beale Street Could Talk” The New YorkerRichard Brody reviews Barry Jenkins's “If Beale Street Could Talk,” starring KiKi Layne and Stephan James and based upon the novel by James Baldwin.

Pressure grows on stubborn DUP to avoid Brexit ‘countdown to disaster’ The GuardianIn Remain-voting Northern Ireland, the hard-Brexit unionists are alienating voters. But they aren't in the mood to shift position.

Breda O’Brien: Women in politics are denied their own identities The Irish TimesAnnegret Kramp-Karrenbauer's promotion in Germany has highlighted lazy stereotypes.

As Va. GOP seeks new course, Corey Stewart says he’s finished with statewide politics Washington PostNORFOLK — As Virginia Republicans met to figure out how to reverse a decade-long losing streak, their most recent standard-bearer and most polarizing figure, ...

Will KCR's announcement to enter Andhra politics impact Chandrababu Naidu? The News MinuteKCR announced that he would give a 'return gift' to Chandrababu,while AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owasi has promised support to TDP's rival in Andhra, Jagan ...

The Atlantic Politics & Policy Daily: Kyl Switch The AtlanticArizona Senator Jon Kyl, who was appointed to replace the late Senator John McCain in September, announced that he will resign from the Senate on ...

What five states say about next five months of politics - Guess who's back Economic TimesAfter a string of defeats, Congress is back in the reckoning. In the three BJP-ruled heartland states where it was a straight fight between the two parties, the ...

Politics cloud felon voting rights restoration in Florida ReutersTAMPA, Fla. (Reuters) - Elections officials across Florida say they expect former felons to flock to their offices to register to vote next month when a newly passed ...

Canadian and U.S. diplomats say politics has no place in extradition of Chinese executive Washington PostSecretary of State Mike Pompeo and his Canadian counterpart said Friday that politics should not be a factor in the extradition of a Chinese technology ...

After 45 years, farewell to the campaigns, the politicians, the ‘cue and the readers The News & ObserverFor 45 years, N&O columnist Rob Christensen has covered politicians for The News & Observer. He has covered every governor since Terry Sanford and every ...

Brexit deadlock ‘is blocking vital domestic policy reforms’ The GuardianCross-party MPs issue joint warning of need to act to prevent the issue 'sucking the life out of government'

209 female MPs by 209 female photographers – in pictures | Politics The GuardianTo celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first election in which some women and all men could vote, 209 female photographers have taken portraits of the 209 ...

The Next Koch Doesn't Like Politics POLITICOLast May, Chase Koch, the 41-year-old son of billionaire businessman Charles Koch, gathered about two dozen wealthy young professionals for a weekend ...

How to create a leaderless revolution and win lasting political change The GuardianIn an age of insurgency, legitimacy is crucial to harnessing the energy of protest, says author Carne Ross.

Investors are hypersensitive to politics CNNWall Street often ignores political headlines. Earnings and the economy are what matter most to the market. But it's getting harder for investors to brush aside ...

Politically Correct: Actors Who Fought Elections - No Politics, Please! Economic TimesPolitics, through the ages, has shown to have its own charm. And thus, consequently, has managed to draw people from all walks of life - sports, cinema and ...

'Brexit fatigue has set in': what the European papers say The GuardianMedia in the rest of Europe have been scathing about Theresa May's chances of winning further Brexit concessions from the EU27 after the bloc's leaders told ...

Fred Greenstein, 88, Dies; Political ‘Psychologist’ Assessed Presidents The New York TimesFred Greenstein, a pre-eminent scholar of political psychology who devised a systematic approach to evaluating the leadership styles of American presidents ...

Humour in democratic politics is a weapon gulfnews.comIt doesn't just amuse, leaven and comfort, it also defangs, attracts and mobilises.

Politics this week The EconomistThe hard Brexiteers in Britain's Conservative Party opposed to Theresa May's Brexit deal with the EU struggled to get enough support to depose her. The deal ...

Why Trudeau is such a lightning rod in Alberta politics CBC.caLet's just make it official and put Justin Trudeau's name on the ballot for Alberta's 2019 provincial election.

Week In Politics: Michael Cohen Fallout; Senate Backs Withdrawal From Yemen WBURHere & Now's Jeremy Hobson and Peter O'Dowd discuss the week in politics with Jesse Holland of The Associated Press and NPR's Domenico Montanaro.

Zardari asked to focus on his last days in politics DAWN.comISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry has alleged that former president Asif Ali Zardari has damaged his own PPP by converting a ...

What happened next? How Melania Trump’s jacket revealed her true politics to the world The GuardianWhen the first lady arrived to meet children separated from their families with a coat emblazoned with the words 'I really don't care. Do U?' what was she trying to ...

His worst nightmare: Trump's life under a legal microscope CNNWeeks of devastating legal revelations have left Donald Trump's political career clouded by criminality and his life, presidency and business empire under ...

Cupp: Trump's White House is political ipecac CNNSE Cupp discusses the recent departures in President Donald Trump's White House and says it is foreshadowing for others who will likely become targets of ...

The 'Feel True' Politics of Demonetisation Economic and Political WeeklyWill the obliteration of foul facts diminish the power of truth?

Longtime politics writer says Trump is 'certainly the worst president' in his lifetime CNNLongtime political journalist and columnist Al Hunt says Donald Trump is "certainly the worst president in my lifetime."

Theresa May's worst week in politics - what happens next? Financial TimesTheresa May endured one of the most difficult weeks of her leadership: delaying the meaningful vote on her Brexit strategy, facing and winning a confidence ...

Communal Politics Won't Work in Hindi-speaking Belt Anymore: Urmilesh NewsClickIn this episode of 'Urmilesh ke Saath, Hafte ki Baat', senior journalist Urmilesh talks about the recent assembly election results in five states. He talks about the ...

Chanticleer CEO Survey: CEOs in their own words on politics and rebuilding trust The Australian Financial ReviewIn part two of the Chanticleer CEO poll for 2018, we look at two questions that go to the heart of the level of of trust in Australian politics and corporate life.

Tracy Watkins: After a huge year in politics, one politician stands out Stuff.co.nzOPINION: It's been a huge year in politics. But there is no argument about the politician of the year.

After the Assembly Polls, Will an Alternative Politics Gain Momentum? The WireFor quite some time, there was a sense of fatalism and pessimism. BJP's loss may put an end to that.

Theresa May not expecting 'breakthrough' on Brexit deal at EU summit – as it happened The GuardianPM won party backing in confidence vote but faces uphill battle to get her deal through Commons.

Ahead of 2019, play The Poll board game of dirty Indian politics QuartzThe Poll simulates India's national electoral process, warts and all.

May survives confidence vote with a majority of 83 – as it happened The GuardianPrime minister defeats leadership challenge after Conservative MPs vote to back her by 200 to 117.

Your Politics: Brexit - what just happened? RTE.ieThis week Aine Lawlor is joined from London by Political Correspondent Paul Cunningham who has been covering the dramatic events as the British Prime ...

Trey Gowdy says he'll return to politics if Tim Scott runs for president Charleston Post CourierSouth Carolina retiring congressman Trey Gowdy has insisted he's done with politics on every level, but he's willing to make an exception for best friend Sen.

Liberals must learn the politics of emotion to beat rightwing populists The GuardianAttachment to place and identity can be part of a radical democratic project, says writer and broadcaster Paul Mason.

I don't belong to any political party: Justice Sudip Ranjan Sen of Meghalaya High Court Economic TimesIn a recent judgement, Sen had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to grant citizenship to Hindus coming from other countries.

A new age of diplomacy – Australian politics live podcast The GuardianThis week Katharine Murphy talks to Menna Rawlings, the outgoing British high commissioner to Australia.

Climate Democrats to enter the fray and disrupt Australia's politics RenewEconomyA new political party will appear on the scene tomorrow and will seek to disrupt the “politics as usual” that Australian voters do not like, but have become used to.

Political tribalism in Trump’s America: what Andrew Sullivan gets wrong Vox.comSullivan's essay on political tribalism shows he's blinded by his own.

Vote for the best Raw Moment in politics of 2018 | #RawPolitics Euronews EnglishWhich Raw Moment in politics is your favourite? Vote for this year's best.

Bill Bennett Was One Of The Best Gentlemen In Politics - And Response (4) The ChattanooganIn an era of political haughtiness and ego, we should recognize the life example of public *service* demonstrated by Hamilton County Assessor Bill Bennett.

Britons must pay €7 to visit mainland Europe after Brexit The GuardianThe European commission has confirmed that British citizens will have to pay to visit mainland Europe as soon as the EU's free movement laws no longer apply.

Politics Isn’t Pretty. But Politicians Are. The New York TimesAnd now for a shallow — but honest — take on the midterms.

I will stay in state politics: Raman Singh Moneycontrol.comOutgoing Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said that he will not move to the Centre but remain in state politics. The Congress, in the recently concluded ...

Sri Lanka Political Standoff Eases After Court Rulings Wall Street JournalCOLOMBO, Sri Lanka—A political standoff that began in October eased as allies of a former president said he was poised to drop his controversial claim to the ...

Trick or real? CNRP split over Cambodia move to ease politics ban Al Jazeera EnglishSelf-exiled cofounder calls government decision a political maneuver but others see it as sign of genuine improvement.

Brexit 'delusions' risk putting UK into crisis, warns Ivan Rogers The GuardianFormer UK ambassador to the EU outlines his hopes for more honest leadership during a speech in Liverpool.

Far right breakthrough in Andalucía send shockwave through Spanish politics The GuardianThe anti-immigration, anti-feminist Vox party has gained a foothold unseen since Franco's death. Voters reveal what drove them to extremes…

The Copa Libertadores debacle is a story of Argentinian politics The GuardianThe decision to move the all-Argentinian South American football final to Spain after a violent incident is a sad commentary on the state of the country.

The Guardian view on the Turner prize: art as politics The GuardianThe judges of the Turner prize have issued a challenge by awarding it to Charlotte Prodger this week. The challenge is to pay attention, to stay alert, and most of ...

The Brexit political declaration – rated The GuardianAnalysis of the 26 pages May brought back. What's resolved and what's in the long grass?

A Fact-Checker’s Guide to Thanksgiving Politics The New York TimesWith the holiday on the heels of the contentious midterm elections, it may be inevitable that your angry uncle or radical niece will turn talk to the campaigns, the ...

The politics of petrol in Zimbabwe Financial MailThere are fears that differences in government circles over economic interests relating to energy supply are affecting political decision-making at the highest ...

The Gods That Will Fail The AtlanticIf voters are freighting politics with religious significance, we need to drain it of the expectation of transcendence.

'You'll never have that again': John Howard on longevity in politics The Sydney Morning HeraldIn 1996, Australians were watching Blue Heelers and Friends on television. The Spice Girls and Savage Garden were big. Kieren Perkins and Susie O'Neill ...

These Americans Are Done With Politics The New York TimesAs the country catches its breath after one of the most acrimonious midterm elections in years, it would be easy to conclude that all of America is hopelessly ...

Norwegian politicians reject UK's Norway-plus Brexit plan The GuardianSenior Norwegian politicians and business figures have rejected Norway-plus, the increasingly touted British cross-party plan for the UK to leave the EU but join ...

Political parties condemn civilian deaths in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, demand action Economic TimesSRINAGAR: Mainstream political parties in Kashmir Saturday condemned the killing of civilians allegedly in security forces' action during an encounter in ...

Alleged Russian agent Maria Butina pleads guilty to conspiring to influence US politics through the NRA CNBCRussian citizen Maria Butina pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to conspiring to influence U.S. politics through her connections to the National Rifle ...

The politics of a plot to kill Sri Lanka's president Reuters IndiaA plot to kill the president, links to foreign intelligence, a rogue police officer and a missing sniper: the snippets of news emerging from Sri Lanka in recent weeks ...

MP causes uproar in parliament by grabbing mace in Brexit protest The GuardianMonday's Commons debate on Theresa May's decision to call off her Brexit vote ended in high drama as a Labour MP seized the ceremonial mace in protest.

Gambhir Dismisses Rumours of Joining Politics, Open to Coaching News18Gautam Gambhir categorically rejected rumours on Sunday around him joining politics but the former India opener indicated he was open to coaching at the big ...

Climate Change Emerging From the Political Shadows Wall Street JournalWhat's the sleeper issue of the new political cycle? Here's a good bet: It will be climate change. The signs are proliferating rapidly. Twin wildfires in California last ...

The Hardest Glass Ceiling in Politics POLITICOThis was supposed to be the year of the woman. But dozens of female political operatives say they weren't invited to the party.

Brexit study finds significant decrease in diehard leave backers The GuardianBritons are growing ever more pessimistic about the state of Brexit negotiations, with even diehard leavers angry with how the past year has gone for their cause, ...

Amazon's HQ2 deal represents what's wrong with American politics The GuardianNew York is offering the retail giant $3bn to set up shop in Queens – it's time to pull the plug on corporate welfare.

All-party panel set out stances in Channel 4's Brexit debate - as it happened The GuardianCaroline Lucas, James Cleverly, Barry Gardiner and Jacob Rees-Mogg to argue their case over what should happen.

Books on Politics: Best of 2018 Wall Street JournalOne of the inscrutable ironies of the last two years is that a New York real-estate mogul and reality TV star has forced so many academics and intellectuals to ...

France tells Donald Trump to stop interfering in its politics Economic TimesThe French government on Sunday urged Donald Trump not to interfere in French politics after the US president posted tweets about the protests rocking the ...

Best books of 2018: Politics Financial TimesIdentity: Contemporary Identity Politics and the Struggle for Recognition, by Francis Fukuyama, Profile, RRP£16.99/Farrar, Straus & Giroux, RRP$26. One of the ...

With Telangana in the Bag, KCR Sets Sights on National Politics The WireKCR said people are fed up with both the BJP and the Congress, and he would focus on bringing together regional leaders to present a credible alternative ...

Theresa May postpones Brexit deal vote The GuardianTheresa May has postponed the final vote on her Brexit deal after a last-minute conference call with cabinet ministers, a clear admission by the prime minister ...

Our end-of-year awards celebrate the worst in politics The EconomistONE OF THE highlights of any political journalist's year is the Spectator dinner. Politicians and hacks drink fine champagne, eat good food and exchange juicy ...

Are Google and Facebook really suppressing conservative politics? The GuardianAccusations of encoded anti-conservative prejudice are gaining traction, but experts say the claims are just a red herring.

Enable more women in politics: First non-partisan women's convention held in B'luru The News MinuteOn Saturday, a number of women gathered at Cauvery Hall in Chalukya hotel in Bengaluru. The gathering was a unique one, and probably one of the largest ...

Qatar quit OPEC because of politics, not oil The EconomistQATAR WAS the first Arab state to join OPEC after its founding in 1960. Now it will be the first to leave. On December 3rd the emirate's energy minister, Saad ...

Here's the political news you missed this holiday weekend CNNWashington (CNN) For many Americans, the Thanksgiving holiday is a time to unplug from the news of the day and enjoy a home-cooked meal with family and ...

Foreign Office investigates reports that state-funded body targeted Corbyn The GuardianThe Foreign Office minister, Alan Duncan, has ordered an investigation into reports the government provided funding to a Scottish-based company meant to ...

The Racist Politics of the English Language Boston ReviewIn a post-election analysis, New York Times reporters Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns described Corey Stewart, the Confederate-sympathizing Virginia ...

TDP will become irrelevant in Andhra and national politics after 2019 polls: KTR The News MinuteTelangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) working President K.T. Rama Rao on Saturday predicted that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) will become irrelevant and ...

On World AIDS Day, why the politics of AIDS is so important Washington PostDec. 1 is World AIDS Day, a day intended to increase awareness about a disease that has led to the deaths of more than 35 million people since 1981, when the ...

Political Poetry Is Hot Again. The Poet Laureate Explores Why, and How. The New York TimesTracy K. Smith, the United States poet laureate, looks at the ways poetry has dealt with the shifting political landscapes of the past two decades.

George H.W. Bush's Life Has Plenty Of Lessons For Today's Politics NPRThere are a lot of lessons Americans — and today's politicians — can take from the life of George H.W. Bush, the 41st president, who died Friday at 94.

Macron’s politics look to Blair and Clinton. The backlash was inevitable The GuardianThe French president has cut taxes for the rich but maintained austerity. It's a failed formula, says Guardian economics editor Larry Elliott.

Trump routinely says things that aren't true. Few Americans believe him, according to a Washington Post Fact Checker poll. Washington PostFor months, President Trump has claimed that U.S. Steel has announced plans to build more than six new plants. Throughout the midterm election, he ...

Theresa May ducks resignation question over fate of Brexit deal – Politics live as it happened The GuardianThe CBI has inadvertently sent ITV News internal emails which highlight a difference between the confederation's public views about the Brexit political ...

‘Stop,’ ‘I wasn’t there,’ ‘I don’t know anything about that’: Republicans dodge or dismiss Trump’s legal woes Washington PostSenate Republicans struggled to account for Trump's behavior and not-so-consistent statements after his lawyer, Michael Cohen, was sentenced to three years ...

Britain's youth will never forgive us for Brexit, says Lord Heseltine The GuardianFormer deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine will warn politicians that Britain's youth will “never forgive us” unless they are offered the chance to reverse Brexit.

WATCH | 'It would be lit!' - Twitter reacts to Hlaudi Motsoeneng’s new political party TimesLIVEThere was mixed reaction on Twitter after former SABC boss Hlaudi Motsoeneng launched his own political party, the African *Content* Movement.

'We' Did Not Miss the Rise of Right-Wing Extremism. You Did. EsquireThe New York Times plays itself—but offers a useful window into how establishment media has enabled all this.

Does Your Farm Stink? The EPA Wants to Find Out

Political Political