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 OHanlon 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 [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] ___________________________________________________ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]