Rule adds reporting exemption for air emissions from animal waste
Posted June 7, 2019
EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler has signed a final rule amending the emergency release notification regulations under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). The amendments clarify that reporting of air emissions from animal waste at farms is not required under EPCRA. The rule also adds definitions of “animal waste” and “farm” to the EPCRA regulations to delineate the scope of this reporting exemption.
EPA says the final rule comes as first responders across the country have repeatedly reminded the Agency that community-specific protocols are determined between local responders and animal producers well in advance of emergencies.
According to EPA, the changes to emergency release reporting regulations reflect the existing relationship between EPCRA and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and provide consistency between the two environmental laws.
The rule takes effect 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
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