Grantee Research Project Results

2024 Progress Report: Renewable ENergy, Environmental justice, and public Wellbeing (RENEW) - Evaluating biogas transformation in Eastern NC

EPA Grant Number: R840565
Title: Renewable ENergy, Environmental justice, and public Wellbeing (RENEW) - Evaluating biogas transformation in Eastern NC
Investigators: Pow Jackson, Crystal Lee , Cho, Seung-Hyun , Redmon, Jennifer Hoponick , Kondash, AJ , Woods, Courtney , White-Williamson, Sherri , Mulhern, Riley , Hoffman, Kelly
Institution: Research Triangle Institute , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Environmental Justice Community Action Network
EPA Project Officer: Chung, Serena
Project Period: July 1, 2023 through May 9, 2025
Project Period Covered by this Report: July 1, 2023 through June 30,2024
Project Amount: $1,124,999
RFA: Drivers and Environmental Impacts of Energy Transitions in Underserved Communities. (2022) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: Watersheds , Endocrine Disruptors , Environmental Engineering , Environmental Justice , Social Science , Air Quality and Air Toxics , Water Quality , Air

Objective:

The main purpose of this project is to understand drivers and impacts of swine waste-to-energy (SWE) operations in Sampson and Duplin Counties, North Carolina. There are four principal objectives, each broken down into several task groups: (1) Community Assessment to advance community voices and current knowledge, (2) Environmental Monitoring to conduct a robust, community-wide assessment of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and SWE contaminants, (3) Data Analysis to evaluate community air and water quality near CAFOs with and without SWE, and (4) Research Translation done by leverage our community engagement, environmental monitoring, and data-driven findings to improve transparency and develop policy recommendations that address community concerns.

Progress Summary:

Objective 1: Community Assessment. During this period, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) completed community forum guides, interview questions, and recruitment materials in English and Spanish. The stated preference survey was drafted, and its use for a community benefits plan was explored. RTI International (RTI) and Environmental Justice Community Action Network (EJCAN) set up a blog on the EJCAN website, discussed etiquette, and established posting timelines. RTI lead drafting the first blog post, undergoing multiple RTI internal reviews.

Objective 2: Environmental Monitoring. A sample selection crosswalk was used to identify ideal sites based on criteria like surface water availability, road access, proximity to other CAFOs, and at least four households within a 2-mile radius (expanded from 1.5 miles). Four biogas CAFOs were finalized, and spray field delineations and watershed data were analyzed. UNC and EJCAN assessed the sites, selecting four treatment and four control sites, with a backup. Recruitment included announcements at EJCAN meetings, mailers, outreach to churches, and three community meetings. Recruitment materials such as flyers, surveys, and phone scripts were prepared. Air monitoring protocols for hydrogen sulfide, methane, and particulate matter (PM) were developed, and RTI trained EJCAN staff on equipment usage and sample collection. Water sampling sites were visited, and equipment was installed. Well water sampling protocols were created after the third lab confirmed ammonia analysis, and EJCAN staff were trained. Pilot water samples were collected in June 2024, and RTI analyzed for metals, while EJCAN tested for coliform, E. coli, nitrates, and nitrites. High iron levels affected nitrate and nitrite results.

Objective 3: Data Analysis. The project team confirmed that the desired statistical approach will be to evaluate the effect of CAFOs on the environment, then analyze how the introduction of biogas CAFOs affect the environment. Confounders were established on the ArcGIS map and then cross-compared across all available treatment sites to finalize treatment and control sites. Discussions were held on whether one single model or multiple models will be needed to conduct the statistical analysis for the matrices (air, surface water, and private well water qualities) of the communities.

Objective 4: Research Translation. The project team decided to host project information on both the EJCAN and RTI website. A draft page was developed, a contact page and phone number were created, and RTI established the website, phone number, and program email. The structure for the report back of results is underway and delivery mechanisms are being discussed. Expectations for advisory network members were also established, and the first meeting is scheduled for fall 2024.

Future Activities:

Objective 1: Community Assessment. We anticipate conducting two to three additional community listening forums and will then begin to analyze the results of the forums. Following recruitment, we plan to conduct risk experience interviews with participant community members. We also plan to post quarterly blogs on the EJCAN blog page.

Objective 2: Environmental Monitoring. We will complete recruitment of participants in the community. The team will also begin to enroll participants and simultaneously deploy PurpleAir monitors on the property. The team expects to being collecting particulate matter data as participants are onboarded. After the team is able to resolve the nitrate and nitrite analysis, we anticipate starting surface water sampling. After sufficient recruitment of participants in complementary treatment (biogas farms and AlignRNG) and control sites (farms that do not capture biogas), the team will assess viability of partially beginning seasonal sampling. If a quality assurance project plan (QAPP) modification is needed, we will work with our project officer to resolve.

Objective 3: Data Analysis. The project team will finalize the statical analysis approach once all participants are recruited.

Objective 4: Research Translation. We plan to consistently update our program website with relevant information. The team will finalize the report back and additional education resources to help participants understand their results. We will also begin annual network meetings for the Scientific and Community Advisory Network.

Supplemental Keywords:

exposure assessment, community-based, renewable natural gas, biogas, environmental justice, concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs)

Relevant Websites:

ReNEW project website Exit

Progress and Final Reports:

Original Abstract

Final