Cal/EPA New Release September 28, 2001: USDA Lists Cal/EPA-Certified Product As Approved Dust Control Measure For California Farmers

USDA LISTS CAL/EPA-CERTIFIED PRODUCT AS APPROVED DUST CONTROL MEASURE FOR CALIFORNIA FARMERS

CALIFORNIA -- The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently recognized Cal/EPA’s leadership in certifying the most effective and environmentally sound products. USDA approved PennzSuppress® D dust suppressant after Cal/EPA’s California Environmental Technology Certification Program (CalCert) certified the product’s environmental performance. PennzSuppress D now qualifies for cost sharing to farmers through the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP).

USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) EQIP program encourages landowners and farmers to adopt practices that reduce particulate matter (PM10) emissions in California’s serious air quality non-attainment areas. The San Joaquin Valley and the South Coast Air Quality Management Districts are severe non-attainment areas for PM10. PennzSuppress® D addresses this problem by reducing fugitive dust emissions from unpaved roads without adversely affecting water quality when used properly.

Last year USDA received cost sharing requests for $1.2 million dollars to address air quality concerns, and awarded $540,000 to local growers. Cost sharing is only available for USDA-approved products and is prioritized based on the area’s level of non-attainment.

John Beyer, California Air Quality Coordinator for NRCS, emphasizes that Cal/EPA certification is essential for dust control product manufacturers to be approved for EQIP. “We refer companies to CalCert for certification when they come to us with dust control products because we need to make sure they really work and have long term benefits.”

CalCert offers scientific evaluations to encourage use of newer, better environmental technologies. The program provides technology manufacturers, regulators and end-users assurance that certified products perform as claimed and meet California’s stringent environmental standards. Tam Doduc, Cal/EPA’s Assistant Secretary for Technology Certification, says “USDA’s recognition of PennzSuppress is exactly what we’re trying to accomplish because it gets the best environmental technologies into regular use.”

For more information on the EQIP program, call (559) 252-2191, or for information on CalCert, call (916) 327-5789.

The energy challenge facing California is real. Every Californian needs to take immediate action to reduce energy consumption. For a list of simple ways you can reduce demand and cut your energy costs, see the Web site, www.flexyourpower.ca.gov

News Release C01-07