Food & Water Watch — Food & Water Watch

Sections

Tell EPA that Factory Farms Aren’t Above the Law!

The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a rule that would let factory farms get out of reporting their releases of ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and other toxic air pollutants caused by the breakdown of animal manure in massive lagoons.

The public has a right to know what factory farms are releasing into the air and EPA has no business letting these polluters off the hook.

Tell EPA that factory farms shouldn’t be above the law.

Please edit the letter below.

>>Learn More

November 20, 2009

Subject:

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to oppose the proposed rule to exempt animal waste from air release reporting requirements under CERCLA and EPCRA (Docket # EPA-HQ-SFUND-2007-0469.)  This proposal is irresponsible and would deprive communities living with the environmental and public health impacts of massive livestock operations of one of the few sources of information about the emissions these facilities release. 
 
In order to start to minimize exposure to air pollutants and protect public health, we need to know the extent of the problem.  But this cannot happen if factory farms are not required to report their emissions.
 
The agency’s rationale for the proposed rule is weak – just because the agency does not have the political will or resources to respond when large releases are reported, does not mean that reporting should stop. 
 
I urge the agency to abandon the proposed rule to create an administrative reporting exemption for hazardous substances released to the air from animal waste.  The public has a right to know what large livestock operations are releasing into the environment.
 
Sincerely,

We will add your signature from the information you provide.

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Street*

Street 2

City*

State/Province*

Zip/Postal Code*

Send an Email