The Importance of FGD Gypsum To the CCP Industry

By David Goss, Executive DirectorAmerican Coal Ash Association

OSU – EPRI WorkshopSt. Louis, September 13, 2006

FGD Workshop – St. LouisSeptember 2006

Growing the FGD Gypsum Marketplace

Issues Driving the CCP Industry

Production

Utilization

Environment

FGD Workshop – St. LouisSeptember 2006

To achieve compliance to CAIR and CAMR, utilities may add FGD wet systems

Boiler design, plant operational issues, location, fuel source and economic factors will determine each plant’s decision

Regulationsaffect the marketplace

Industry Response to New Air Emission Requirements

FGD Workshop – St. LouisSeptember 2006

How Regulations Will Impact FGD Production

Flue Gas Desulfurization material will grow dramatically

Significant increase in production of FGD material in next decade

Primary market for synthetic gypsum is wallboard – about 9 million tons or 27%

Dry scrubbing systems more prevalent in the Western US

FGD Workshop – St. LouisSeptember 2006EUCIJuly 2006

Synthetic or FGD Gypsum

Major MarketsFor FGD Gypsum

Wallboard manufacturing

Agricultural

Cement production

FGD Workshop – St. LouisSeptember 2006

Gypsum inAgriculture

Promotes the emergence of seedlings and new plants

Improved drainage in clay soils

Reduction of water use in turf grasses

Synthetic gypsum dissolves faster than mined gypsum

A Diverse Product

FGD Workshop – St. LouisSeptember 2006

Gypsum inAgriculture

Can be used to treat sodic soils

Provides nutrients to crops such as peanuts, vegetables and fruits

Can ameliorate subsoil acidity

Reduces phosphorus runoff

Land Uses for FGD Gypsum

FGD Workshop – St. LouisSeptember 2006

Are There Potential Barriers to Increased Agricultural Use?

Looking Ahead

Mercury removal techniques may raise questions

Perception, not science may challenge end users Are mercury concentrations a concern? Can mercury be released in land applications Has research addressed land applications?

Studies by Gustin, Ladwig, et. al seem to indicate that this is not a technical concern

FGD Workshop – St. LouisSeptember 2006

Looking Ahead

Wallboard industry will not be able to use all new FGD gypsum produced in the next 10-15 years

Agricultural uses could grow dramatically with increased outreach and research

Many parts of the country have little knowledge of agricultural uses of this product

Why Increase Focus on Agricultural Markets?

FGD Workshop – St. LouisSeptember 2006

Florida and Georgia’s Experiences

Looking

Ahead

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service regulate FGD gypsum as a fertilizer

Sellers are licensed Purity levels are specified Reporting is required

Extensive research supported by Southern Company, TVA and others

46% of Georgia’s peanut growers use gypsum

FGD Workshop – St. LouisSeptember 2006

What’s Needed ?

Looking

Ahead

Basic information for producers on how gypsum can be used in agricultural settings

A listing or identification of areas in the US needing or currently using gypsum

The types of crops or settings in which gypsum applications can benefit the grower or land user

Samples of state regulatory documents that permit FGFD gypsum use and under what guidance

Logistics considerations – is the material handled dry or moist? How is it transported and applied?

FGD Workshop – St. LouisSeptember 2006

Research and testing of FGD products in different climates, soils and with a variety of crops will be needed – land grant universities may be key stakeholders in this research effort

Partnerships with FGD producers, growers, the USDA, and universities may help identify needs for research and funding to support this research

The EPA needs to be educated about agricultural applications and associated risks as it is a new area for them

How Do We Focus on Agricultural Markets?

Looking Ahead

FGD Workshop – St. LouisSeptember 2006

Is There Competition?

Natural mined gypsum Location and transportation may favor natural

gypsum over FGD

A whole industry is forming to recycling construction debris wallboard

California consumes a lot of recycled wallboard (California Integrated Waste Management Board)

Preliminary research indicates that mercury in recycled wallboard should not be a concern

CMRA is promoting wallboard recycling aggressively (http://www.drywallrecycling.org/)

Looking Ahead

FGD Workshop – St. LouisSeptember 2006

Conclusions

Industry and public sector research and partnerships should be formed

Joint information gathering and dissemination of examples, case studies and reports is needed

Workshops should be held for potential regulators, end users and researchers

US Department of Agriculture has much interest in this area as a new C2P2 sponsor.

Opportunities

FGD Workshop – St. LouisSeptember 2006

Resources

http://westernfarmpress.com/mag/farming_essential_amendment_high/

http://www.gp.com/build/product.aspx?pname=Agricultural&pid=1570&hierarchy=pc

http://www.gypsumsolutions.com/newscenter/news/agricultural/cs_sofnsoil.asp

http://www.dktgypsum.com/news_content7.html

Websites

FGD Workshop – St. LouisSeptember 2006

Resources - continued

http://www.wastecapwi.org/documents/BMP_drywall_on_home_sites_final.pdf

http://www.nerc.org/documents/2001-fertilizer-regulations-summary.html

http://aquanic.org/publicat/state/ky/liming_wp.htm

http://www.shawresources.ca/ResSection.ASP?item_id=221

http://ohioline.osu.edu/anr-fact/0020.html

http://www.tarleton.edu/~txjanr/Response%20of%20Coastal%20Bermudagrass%20to%20Gypsum%20Applications.pdf#search=%22agricultural%20gypsum%

Websites

THANK YOU

American Coal Ash Association

720-870-7897

www.acaa-usa.org