Thursday, December 06, 2007

Nodler files CAFO bill

Sen. Gary Nodler has pre-filed a bill designed to punish companies that continue to cause odor problems, according to an article in today's Joplin Globe.
Nodler's bill stiffens fines for odor violations and adds a provision that would results in companies forfeiting their operating permits if they have multiple violations during a single calendar year:

The bill calls for any CAFO or animal-parts recycling companies that violate Missouri air, water or odor pollution standards more than once in three years to be subject to a surcharge in addition to a civil penalty. The surcharge would equal the civil penalty plus the sum of any fines assessed during the three years. The money would go to public education, and for enforcement of air and water pollution laws.

Another provision of the bill calls for any CAFO or animal-parts recycler that violates air, water or odor standards at least six times in one year or 12 times in three years to forfeit the operating permit and apply for a new one.

“It would increase the fines and create a mechanism to get the truly bad actors out of business, or at least out of our state,” Nodler said.

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