Yakima Valley dairy air emissions targeted

The Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency is set to launch its voluntary air emission reduction plan for dairies next month. Or at least that’s the idea.

According to the Yakima Herald-Republic, the agency is considering the policy in response to complaints from neighbors about dairies, which number more than 70 in the Yakima Valley. Executive Director Gary Pruitt said adoption of the policy will start a 10-month trial period to determine whether pollutants are being reduced.

The policy proposes a series of management practices to reduce emissions of ammonia, methane, hydrogen sulfide, organic compounds, odors and dried fecal matter, according to the report.

However, dairy critics are skeptical since the plan is voluntary, and therefore, has no penalties attached to it. But, the local air agency does not have the authority to enforce compliance.

A dairy farmer told the newspaper he thought most of the dairies in the region would participate in the program.

Full story.

Source: Yakima Herald-Republic

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