EPA Proposes EPCRA Amendment to Exempt Animal Waste Emissions

Why Is Reporting Required Under EPCRA?

The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), also referred to as SARA Title III for the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act, of which EPCRA is part, requires facilities that store or handle large volumes of hazardous chemicals to report significant releases to local emergency response authorities.

Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are defined in the Clean Water Act as sites at which more than 1,000 animals (“animal units”) are confined for more than 45 days a year.  

Currently, EPCRA release reporting requirements cover air emissions from animal waste (manure, digestive emissions, and urine) because they can contain harmful constituents like hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, methane, and particulate matter. 

In 2008, EPA exempted large CAFOs from release reporting under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). However, EPCRA reporting requirements remained in place. This would change when the new rule becomes final.

Lion News will post an update when this proposed rule hits the Federal Register. Subscribe to Lion News now to get the latest EHS insights and updates delivered directly to your inbox every Tuesday morning.

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Tags: Act, Air, and, CAFO, Clean, EPCRA, new, recordkeeping, reporting, rules