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| News from Around the Farm World - July 21, 2010 |
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EPA proposes 2011 Renewable Fuel Standards
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week proposed the 2011 percentage standards for the four fuels categories under the agency’s Renewable Fuel Standard program (RFS2).
The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) established the annual renewable fuel volume targets, reaching an overall level of 36 billion gallons in 2022. To achieve these volumes, EPA calculates a percentage-based standard for the following year. Based on the standard, each refiner, importer and non-oxygenate blender of gasoline determines the minimum volume of renewable fuel that it must ensure is used in its transportation fuel.
The proposed 2011 overall volumes and standards are:
•Biomass-based diesel (0.8 billion gallons; 0.68 percent)
•Advanced biofuel (1.35 billion gallons; 0.77 percent)
•Cellulosic biofuel (5 – 17.1 million gallons; 0.004 – 0.015 percent)
•Total renewable fuels (13.95 billion gallons; 7.95 percent)
Based on analysis of market availability, EPA is proposing a 2011 cellulosic volume that is lower than the EISA target. EPA is also proposing changes to the RFS2 regulations that would potentially apply to renewable fuel producers who use canola oil, grain sorghum, pulpwood or palm oil as a feedstock.
The second change would set criteria for foreign feedstocks to be treated like domestic in terms of the documentation needed to prove they can be used to make qualifying renewable fuel under the RFS2 program.
Comments will be accepted for 30 days beginning when this proposal is published in the Federal Register. All comments should be identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0133 and submitted by mail to: EPA, Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center (6102T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20460; or online at www.regulations.gov or by e-mail to A-and-R-Docket@epa.gov
The EPA does not expect to hold a public hearing but if it receives a request it will publish information related to a hearing and new deadline for public comments.
Two teen farm workers killed in Michigan accident
MIDDLEVILLE, Mich. (AP) — Authorities said two teenage workers at a western Michigan dairy farm died after falling into a silo.
The Barry County Sheriff’s Department said the accident happened the evening of July 12. The farm is about 125 miles west of Detroit.
Authorities identified the victims as 18-year-old Victor Perez and 17-year-old Francisco M. Martinez. Authorities said they were using a power-washer to clean a 10-foot high silo when they fell in. The silo was used to store a molasses-type mixture used in cow feed.
Farm worker Bob Forbes told The Grand Rapids Press the teens weren’t doing something particularly dangerous and they knew how to do it. Sheriff Dar Leaf said authorities may never know exactly what happened.
Man, fishing, drowns in Iowa farm pond
ELDORA, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a 55-year-old man drowned in a farm pond near Eldora. The Hardin County Sheriff’s Office identified the man as William Dale Eldridge.
Police said he was fishing in a pond around 11:30 a.m. on July 10 when the boat tipped over. A Story County dive team recovered Eldridge’s body. The Hardin County Law Enforcement Center said an autopsy was to be conducted in Mason City.
Explosion and fire at corncob processor
INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (AP) — An apparent dust explosion at a corncob processing plant in Independence kept volunteer firefighters from five agencies busy for hours. The fire started early Friday afternoon in a dust control system in one of the buildings at the Best Cob.
Assistant Chief Rick Wulfekuhle of the Independence Fire Department said one worker was in the area at the time, but escaped injury. Wulfekuhle said the worker pushed an emergency shutoff to lessen the damage, but flames were coming through the roof as fire crews arrived.
With outdoor temperatures in the 80s, officials called for backup from the Jesup, Rowley and Winthrop departments. Crews for Independence Mental Health Institute’s fire brigade and Independence Ambulance also assisted.
Best Cob uses corn cobs to make pet bedding, oil absorbent and other products.
Central Illinois company dumps manure without permit
CHICAGO, Ill. (AP) — A central Illinois livestock company has been dumping its manure and wastewater into a river without a permit.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fined Greenville Livestock, Inc. $40,000 July 9 for not following the Clean Water Act when it discarded animal waste. EPA had previously asked the facility to stop unauthorized dumping and to apply for a permit.
The central Illinois animal feeding operation oversees more than 1,000 cattle by the Kaskaskia River. The EPA stated animal manure and water potentially contribute to pathogens to the environment and water pollutants like nitrogen, which can be a threat to public health.
Greenville did not want to comment when reached by phone last week.
Bedford County fights proposed chicken houses
SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Bedford County commissioners are being asked to make it harder for a proposed development of 14 chicken houses.
Citizens say 46 homes are located within a half-mile of the site. The neighbors claim their property values would be affected and that the development might have an impact on air and water quality. County Planning Commission chairman Kennon Threet said a modern chicken house holds about 32,000 birds.
State planner Bryan Collins, who advises the planning commission, said two attorney generals’ opinions state that counties can’t use zoning to regulate agriculture, whether that means a family farm or 400,000 chickens. According to the Shelbyville Times-Gazette, Collins said agriculture is a protected activity. |
| 7/21/2010 |
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