Regulations may include emissions from livestock manure systems

Methane generation and reduction of methane production from livestock operations is included as part of the proposed EPA rules. EPA does not currently regulate air quality and emissions from agriculture.

However, EPA indicated that air emissions from livestock manure systems will be incorporated as part of water quality regulation.

Then, when air regulations are proposed and implemented, the water quality regulations affecting livestock manure systems do not have to be changed to incorporate the new air quality rules.

In the proposed water quality regulations information is presented discussing the potential environmental benefits of reducing greenhouse methane.

Livestock operations proposed to implement anaerobic digestion and methane production for energy or heat generation include large dairy and swine operations.

Large operations are defined as having 2,000 animal units or more. Examples of large operations include the following.

• A dairy operation with at least 1,400 cows--lactating and dry.
• A dairy with fewer than 1,400 cows if a heifer replacement unit is part of the operation because the proposed regulations specifically count heifers using the same methodology as beef cattle.
• A swine operation with at least 5,100 pigs weighing more than 55 pounds.
• A swine operation with at least 20,000 pigs weighing less than 55 pounds.
• About a 700 sow farrow-to-finish operation or larger--depending upon production efficiencies. Other issues affecting or related to the implementation of methane generation include the following.
• New large swine and dairy operations with construction beginning after the effective date of the forthcoming rule--probably December 2002--will be required to implement methane generation.
• Existing large swine and dairy operations will be required to implement methane generation when expanding or changing--significantly remodeling or replacing--their current facilities after the effective date of the forthcoming rule.
• Methane generation does not significantly reduce the plant available nutrients from the manure produced by the operation.
• The AgStar EPA program has promoted electricity generation from methane production. But, income potential, with Missouri's relatively low electricity prices, has not been sufficient to cover the cost of facilities and equipment needed to generate electricity from methane.