ATMOSPHERIC EMISSIONS FROM AGRICULTURAL BURNING IN CALIFORNIA - DETERMINATION OF BURN FRACTIONS, DISTRIBUTION FACTORS, AND CROP-SPECIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS

A survey was conducted to determine the fraction of crop biomass normally burned during each season of the year in California. Information obtained from the survey was used in the development of a new procedure to calculate allowable atmospheric emissions from power generating facilities using fuel that would otherwise be burned in the field. Four crops (rice, almonds, walnuts, and wheat) were found to account for 95% of the total crop residue burned in California (excluding forestry). The new procedure uses seasonal (quarterly) determinations, rather than annual totals, to compute the allowed power plant emissions. Seasonal adjustments will probably reduce the economic incentives to use crop biomass as fuel. New power generation facilities will require enhanced pollution control, seasonal mitigation of emissions, or mitigation of non-agricultural emissions in order to comply with regulated emission levels.