Air Emissions of Ammonia and Methane from Livestock Operations: Valuation and Policy Options

Journal of Air & Waste Management Association, Vol. 58, pp. 1117-1129, 2006

28 Pages Posted: 16 May 2006 Last revised: 22 Nov 2022

See all articles by Jhih-Shyang Shih

Jhih-Shyang Shih

Resources for the Future

Dallas Burtraw

Resources for the Future

Karen L. Palmer

Resources for the Future

Juha Siikamäki

International Union for Conservation of Nature

Date Written: March 1, 2006

Abstract

The animal husbandry industry is a major emitter of methane, which is an important greenhouse gas. The industry is also a major emitter of ammonia, which is a precursor of fine particulate matter - arguably, the number-one environment-related public health threat facing the nation. We present an integrated process model of the engineering economics of technologies to reduce methane and ammonia emissions at dairy operations in California. Three policy options are explored: greenhouse gas offset credits for methane control, particulate matter offset credits for ammonia control, and expanded net metering policies to provide revenue for the sale of electricity generated from captured methane gas. Individually, any of these policies appears to be sufficient to provide the economic incentive for farm operators to reduce emissions. We report on initial steps to fully develop the integrated process model that will provide guidance for policymakers.

Keywords: methane, ammonia, carbon dioxide, greenhouse gases, climate change, offset, particulate matter, net metering, environmental policy, CAFO, manure management, biodigester, electricity, global warming, cost-benefit, incentive approach

JEL Classification: Q2, Q4, Q53

Suggested Citation

Shih, Jhih-Shyang and Burtraw, Dallas and Palmer, Karen and Siikamäki, Juha, Air Emissions of Ammonia and Methane from Livestock Operations: Valuation and Policy Options (March 1, 2006). Journal of Air & Waste Management Association, Vol. 58, pp. 1117-1129, 2006 , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=900912 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.900912

Jhih-Shyang Shih (Contact Author)

Resources for the Future ( email )

1616 P Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
United States
202-328-5028 (Phone)

Dallas Burtraw

Resources for the Future ( email )

1616 P Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
United States
202-328-5087 (Phone)

Karen Palmer

Resources for the Future ( email )

1616 P Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
United States

Juha Siikamäki

International Union for Conservation of Nature ( email )

Washington, DC 20036
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.iunc.org

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