Part 300: Innovative & Alternative Technologies

300.10 General.

1. The Department supports and encourages the use of appropriate innovative and alternative technologies.
2. When innovative or alternative technology is proposed for an agricultural facility for manure and other animal by-products handling, treatment, storage, processing, or utilization, a meeting should be held with the Department prior to the submittal of the project. The purpose of the meeting is for the applicant and the Department to go over the proposed project and the purpose and expected benefits from the use of the innovative or alternative technology.

300.20 Submittal Requirements.

1. When innovative or alternative technology is proposed for an agricultural facility for manure and other animal by-products handling, storage, treatment, processing, or utilization, the applicant shall provide to the Department the submittal information contained in Sections 100.50 or 200.50, as appropriate, and a detailed project report which explains the innovative or alternative technology and the purpose and expected benefits of the proposal.

300.30 Requirements in Lieu of Requirements Under Part 100 or Part 200 of This Regulation.

1. When the Department determines that appropriate alternative or innovative technology is being proposed, the specific requirements given in Part 100 and 200 of this regulation which deal with the purpose or expected benefits of the technology may not have to be met except when required by a specific statute or the Department after review of the project. Requirements in Part 100 that apply to large swine facilities with 1,000,000 pounds or more normal production live weight shall not be reduced or waived.
2. The Department shall review the project and determine the purpose or benefits of the proposed innovative or alternative technology and determine which requirements under Part 100 or 200 do not have to be met and the appropriate requirements to be used in lieu of the requirements in Part 100 or 200.
3. When an alternative or innovative technology is proposed, the review criteria shall be established on a case-by-case basis by the Department when the project is received.
4. When alternative or innovative technology is utilized at an animal facility, the setbacks given in Part 100 or 200 may be reduced by the Department as appropriate. Requirements in Part 100 that apply to large swine facilities with 1,000,000 pounds or more normal production live weight shall not be reduced or waived.

300.40 Innovative and Alternative Treatment Technologies.

1. The following is a list of innovative or alternative technologies for agricultural facilities to consider. This list is not exhaustive. Other processes exist and new technologies are being developed.
   1. Aerobic treatment systems or combination aerobic/anaerobic systems;
   2. Artificial (constructed) wetlands use for treatment;
   3. Use of steel tanks;
   4. Use of solid separators;
   5. Methane Gas Recovery Systems;
   6. Surface Water Discharge Systems;
   7. Composting manure solids;
   8. Bioreactors;
   9. Covered liquid or slurry manure storage;
   10. Air Scrubbers;
   11. Ozonation;
   12. Alternative Fuels.
2. At a minimum, the preparer of the agricultural Animal Facility Management Plan should consider the technologies given in 300.40.  A for use at a proposed agricultural facility when the Animal Facility Management Plan is being developed.
3. When odors exist or are reasonably expected to exist at an undesirable level, the Department may require the use of appropriate innovative or alternative treatment technology to eliminate the odors or the potential for odors.
4. When the Department determines under Section 100.70.G. (Permit Decision Making Process) that there is reasonable potential for cumulative or secondary impacts due to methane gas from facilities, the Department may require the use of methane gas recovery systems or other appropriate technology to eliminate the potential impacts.

300.50 Exceptional Quality Compost.

1. When the Department determines that the composting of solid animal manure and other animal by-products is performed in such a manner that the odor and vector attraction potential is reduced and the controlled microbial degradation of the organic manure and other animal by-products has been accomplished, this material may be considered exceptional quality compost. Exceptional quality compost may be sold or distributed without regulation by the Department, if it meets the requirements of this part. The Department shall review and approve the composter design and proposal for operation and distribution of the composted product. Composting systems shall be designed by a professional engineer or an engineer with the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
2. Composting can be subject to nuisance problems such as odors, dusts and vector attraction. Therefore, the composting facility shall incorporate measures to control such conditions. An Odor and Vector Abatement Plan shall be developed for a composting facility.
3. Compost Product Quality Standards.
   1. Product Standards are necessary to protect public and environmental health and to ensure a measure of commercial acceptability.
      1. Based on EPA standards for pathogen reduction, the time/temperature conditions required are equivalent to an average of 128 F (53 C) for 5 consecutive days, 131 F (55 C) for 2.6 consecutive days, or 158 F (70 C) for 30 minutes.
      2. The composted product shall meet or exceed the minimum standard of mature or very mature compost as set forth in the USDA Test Methods for the Examination of Composting and Compost (TMECC) Section 05.02-G CQCC Maturity Index. A maturity rating shall be given based upon the Maturity Assessment Matrix given in this method.
      3. When land applied, the compost shall adhere to requirements for constituent concentrations and loading rates as outlined in Part 100.100, Part 200.100, or Part 400.60.
   2. Compost products which meet these standards and also comply with pathogen quality and vector attraction standards are considered to be of exceptional quality and can be used without regulatory oversight, other than the compliance of agronomic application rates based on product analysis.
   3. If the Department determines that the composting system is not being operated properly or that the composted product is not of an Exceptional Quality, the composted product shall be handled in accordance with the land application requirements of Part 100, 200 or 400 (as applicable) of these regulations.
   4. An operable thermometer capable of measuring temperatures within a compost pile shall be kept at the composting facility for monitoring the temperature of each compost pile or batch. A written log of the daily temperature reading should be kept for each batch of compost. Temperatures shall not be allowed to rise above 180 F (82 C), which may cause combustion in the compost pile and start a fire.
   5. The composted product shall be analyzed by Clemson University or another Department approved laboratory. The composted product content information along with recommended application rates shall be distributed with the product. The consumer shall be advised that the composted product shall be applied at an agronomic rate.

300.60 Public Notice Requirements.

1. When the Department permits an alternative or innovative technology, the notice on the issuance of the permit required under Sections 100.60.H. or 200.60.H. shall contain a general description of the innovative or alternative process and a summary of the expected benefits.