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In an initial measure targeted at addressing global warming and heading off projected climate change effects, US EPA has released a proposed rule that would require annual reporting of greenhouse gas emissions. The current proposal language would require reporting of greenhouse gas emissions – mainly methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2) – occurring from manure storage and handling facilities if those emissions exceed 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent or more per year. Preliminary projections suggest that the total number of U.S. livestock and poultry operations that will be required to report GHG gas emissions ranges from less than one hundred to a few hundred of the largest animal feeding operations nationally.
Which Industries Will Be Affected By This Rule?
A summary from EPA states “…EPA proposes that suppliers of fossil fuels or industrial greenhouse gases, manufacturers of vehicles and engines, and facilities that emit 25,000 metric tons or more per year of GHG emissions submit annual reports to EPA.” EPA is looking into emissions on an industry-by-industry basis, with animal agriculture proposed as one of the industries to be evaluated. The proposed rule and related information can be found at the EPA Climate Change website.
EPA has also released two fact sheets that address proposed reporting by animal agriculture.
Comment Period On the Proposed Rule
The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on April 10, 2009. The comment period for this rule extends 60 days from this date (to June 9, 2009). The scope and extent of proposed reporting, and likely follow-up measures, have been the basis of much discussion and concern for many in animal agriculture. Stakeholders are encouraged to review the proposed rule and provide comments to US EPA.
The rule was worded to exclude enteric gas emissions - those gases released naturally and directly by an animal (i.e. during rumination). For obvious reasons, getting the language right on this and other portions of the rule is a major concern of livestock producers.
Research on greenhouse gas emissions from animal production is still quite young. Science-based information is just beginning to be published. On May 15th, the Air Quality Education for Animal Agriculture project and the Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center Air Quality Team hosted webcast on Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Animal Agriculture Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Animal Agriculture.
