Source: Jodi Helmer, CAROLINA PUBLIC PRESS, 8/10/21

A provision of the N.C. Farm Act of 2021 related to the permitting of hog farm digesters that appeared to be a procedural change may have long-term consequences for the industry, farming communities and their neighbors.  The legislation allows the Environmental Management Commission, a division of the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, to develop a general permit that allows hog farmers to build and operate farm digesters. In the past, individual permits were required.  Under the act, environmental regulators are required to decide on general permit applications within 90 days, or the permit is automatically considered approved. Permits are valid for five years.

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