The season that never seemed to end has finally ended, and many folks in the South and Southeast can put the 2018 crop behind them. Gins are just beginning to plan expansions and changes for the 2019 crop year and beyond. Don’t forget that these changes may affect your air quality permit.
Most gins in the United States have some type of regulation that involves an air permit. Those permits range from a full-blown air quality permit to a registration with the state and everything in between. All of these permitting or regulatory positions have underlying rules and conditions that dictate what is permissible.
For example, if you swap a dual or tandem cyclone for a single larger one, it requires a permit in some states. Changes may require a letter to the state air pollution regulatory agency, and in some cases no notice is needed.
Solicit Advice From Gin Associations
Navigating these rules and conditions on your permit is not always easy, especially if you haven’t looked at them in a while. This planning phase, when repairs and changes are just getting talked about, is a good time to put hands on your air permit and re-read the conditions and rules it contains. Most of the time, your gin associations are there to help you understand what the conditions mean as well.
In nearly all cases, an expansion or increase in annual or hourly capacity of a gin beyond what is listed in the permit will involve a conversation with the air quality regulator. We recommend you discuss these changes with your gin association staff first. States are struggling for funds.
This means many are adding to the permitting fees or, even in some cases, no-permit-required letters. Why is this significant? Because as you make your query about changes you may be planning, getting input from your gin association could make a difference in how much or even if you get a fee for making changes to your permit.
Take some time today to pull out your air permit and review its conditions and rules even if you aren’t planning on an expansion this year. You will learn what is needed to make changes in the future and take that into account when your next expansion comes along.
Dusty Findley, CEO of the Southeastern Cotton Ginners Association, contributed this article. Contact him at 706-344-1212 or dusty@southern-southeastern.org.
CCGGA Provides Sneak Peek Of Annual Meeting Activities
The California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association will host this year’s meeting, May 15, 17, at The Cliffs Hotel and Spa in Pismo, California. According to the association’s monthly newsletter, the meeting features an information- packed agenda, an annual golf tournament as well as comedic entertainment.
Here’s a sneak peek of what’s on tap for the annual event:
Attendees can look forward to beautiful ocean views as the meeting kicks off Wednesday evening with a welcome reception.
Golf tournament attendees will be heading to Avila Beach and Golf resort Thursday morning, returning just in time for the CCGGA Annual Meeting Reception and Dinner.
Comedic Entertainment And Industry Updates
This year, guests will be enjoying the entertainment from comedian Greg Warren. Warren has been most recently seen on “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” “The Late Late Show on CBS” and “Last Comic Standing.” Warren is a favorite on the nationally syndicated Bob & Tom radio show and has toured theaters across the country with The Bob & Tom All Stars Comedy Tour.
To conclude the meeting, CCGGA will present critical updates from industry associations and updates on issues affecting the California cotton industry.
Throughout Friday’s agenda, the group will receive reports from USDA on the cotton ginning research labs, a water update, pressures on crop protection tools, reports on variety trials and a Sacramento update. Additionally, National Cotton Ginners Association, National Cotton Council, Supima, Cotton Incorporated and USDA AMS will provide the latest from their respective groups.
For more information, contact the CCGGA offices at 559-252-0684.
Remembering Hartford Smith
Hartford Smith passed away March 27 in Spokane, Washington, at the age of 94.
He was the manager of McFarland Cooperative Gin and Central Valley Almond Association in McFarland, California, from 1973 through 1988. Prior to his position in McFarland, he was the gin manager at Dos Palos Cooperative Gin.
Hartford had been married to his wife, Nadine, for 73 years. He will lie at rest in the Washington State Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family has chosen Agape Villages Foster Family Agency, 3160 Crow Canyon Place, Suite 120, San Ramon, CA 94583-1338 or the charity of your choice.