Editorials
Sierrans:

Two good things in the Des Moines Register this morning, first an excellent
editorial on hydrogen sulfide and CAFOs/Industry, followed by an very good
LTE on Energy, by PIRG staffer Emmet O¹Hanlon.

Kudos to both!

Lyle Krewson



Editorial: Go after all pollution

Controls on hydrogen sulfide should apply to industries and cities, not just
livestock.
By Register Editorial Board
09/24/2003
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is singling out large livestock
operations to make them - but not other industries - limit hydrogen-sulfide
emissions. That may be easier to push through politically but does not make
sense otherwise. Protecting human health means regulating all sources of a
pollutant.

The Legislature last spring shot down new air-quality rules for hydrogen
sulfide and ammonia that would have applied across the board. The proposed
rules, set by the state Environmental Protection Commission following
recommendations by the DNR, were opposed by the Iowa Association of
Municipal Utilities and the Iowa Association of Business and Industry.
Wastewater-treatment facilities, landfills, cement kilns and some chemical
manufacturers are among non-livestock emitters of hydrogen sulfide.

Jeff Vonk, DNR director, explained the switch in strategy. The focus on
livestock is justified, he said, because upon further discussion with
authors of the university report on which the first set of standards was
based, he learned that hydrogen sulfide from concentrated animal feeding
operations (CAFOs) is an indicator of other pollutants that cannot be
measured. For other industries, that is not the case, he said. As for
ammonia, the DNR is delaying recommendations after a federal agency
suggested previous limits may have been too strict.

What are those other pollutants that hydrogen sulfide signals may be present
in connection with livestock operations? They have been vaguely described by
the DNR staff as volatile organic compounds, but there is not yet an
official explanation of the potential danger.

Even assuming there will be, why back away from reasonable regulation of
other industries?

Vonk acknowledges hydrogen sulfide from non-farm sources can be toxic but
said he needs more information on what levels pose a danger before moving
ahead.

Meanwhile, Vonk said he doesn't want to wait to do something about
livestock, since he does have that information. The DNR was in error to
extrapolate standards for non-livestock industries from the university
report because it was aimed at livestock, he said, but eventually the
department will look at non-farm sources.

Indeed, a statement from the Agribusiness Association of Iowa said: "It is
AAI's understanding that the new focus on CAFOs by the DNR is only temporary
and that the DNR will eventually seek to impose the standards on all
emitters."

The DNR should do that soon. If hydrogen sulfide from sources besides
livestock is a threat in Iowa, it should be regulated every bit as
stringently as if it were from livestock. At low levels, hydrogen sulfide -
the source of that rotten-egg smell - can cause eye irritation, dizziness
and headaches. At higher levels, typically in confined spaces, it can be
deadly.

Instead, the DNR is expected to recommend a new standard for hydrogen
sulfide later this year only for livestock operations. While Iowa must make
progress in controlling farm pollution, it should not back off from
regulating other industries. It's the job of the DNR and the Legislature to
protect Iowans from all sources of pollution, not just livestock operations.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Support a renewable-energy standard

The Sept. 10 editorial, "Powering Up the Economy," correctly notes the
harmful environmental effects of the launch of MidAmerican Energy's new $1.2
billion coal-burning power plant in Council Bluffs.

Increasing our reliance on coal for our electricity will lead to an increase
in greenhouse gasses and other pollutants emitted into our air. Iowans
deserve the safety and affordability of homegrown-renewable energy.

Right now, Senator Chuck Grassley is poised to cast an important vote
deciding the fate of a national renewable-energy standard that would
increase our clean-energy generation to 10 percent by 2020. This standard
would boost Iowa's economy with $450 million in new capital investment.

The resulting renewable-energy development would power 1.2 million homes and
reduce coal imports and air pollution.

A national renewable-energy standard is a win-win situation for Iowa's
environment and economy. It is imperative Grassley put public interest first
and hold strong in his support for a renewable-energy standard.

Emmet OŒHanlon
Des Moines
___________________________________________________

Lyle R. Krewson
Sierra Club Conservation Organizer
6403 Aurora Avenue #3
Des Moines, IA 50322-2862

515/276-8947
515/238-7113 - cel

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