# Final Staff Report and

Recommendations on Agricultural Burning



# Appendix G

Cost Effectiveness Analysis

# Final Staff Report and

Recommendations on Agricultural Burning 

# This page intentionally blank



# .

# San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control Di strict May 20, 2010

Revised July 21, 2010

G-1 Appendix G: Cost Effectiveness Analysis

Final Staff Report and

Recommendations on Agricultural Burning 

# Appendix G: COST EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS

G.1 APPROACH FOR COST EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS

In general, the reduction of agricultural waste fro m the pruning or the removal of

orchards and vineyards by grinding or chipping foll owed by conversion to either

biomass fuel or land incorporation results in fewer emissions when compared to

open burning; however, these operations may incur e xtra costs over those

associated with open burning. To examine the cost feasibility of these

alternatives, cost effectiveness (CE) in dollars pe r ton of emission reduction is

defined as the cost differential between chipping o r grinding and open burning in

dollars per acre divided by the difference between burning and chipping in per

acre total emissions (PM 2.5 

# + NO

x 

# + VOC), or:



# ( ($/acre) chip



# - ($/acre) burn 

# )

CE

= 

# ( (tonsemissions/acre) burn 

# - (tonsemissions/acre) chip 

# )

The cost effectiveness calculated by the above expr ession will primarily be a

function of the type of tree or plant (which determ ines the difficulty of removal

and the amount and fuel quality of the waste, affec ting both the denominator and

numerator of the above expression) and of the total acreage which affects the

numerator of the above expression since operations on smaller acreages cost

more per acre due to the project minimums imposed b y most orchard

contractors.

G.2 PER ACRE COSTS AND EMISSIONS

G.2.1 Orchard Removals

Costs and emissions associated with orchard removal s, both by open burning

and by grinding for biomass, have been developed in Chapter 5 and are

presented in Tables 5-4, 5-5 and 5-6 of this report . As stated there, per acre cost

for orchard removal increases for smaller acreage d ue to minimum project

charges for both burning and for grinding to biomas s. When larger acreages are

removed, the per acre cost reaches a flat minimum r ate. Likewise, per acre

emissions are somewhat greater for small acreages d ue to the emissions

associated with delivery and mobilization of equipm ent at the project site which is

independent of acreage removed.

# San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control Di strict May 20, 2010

Revised July 21, 2010

G-2 Appendix G: Cost Effectiveness Analysis

Final Staff Report and

Recommendations on Agricultural Burning 

# G.2.2 Disposal of Orchard Prunings for Surface Harv ested Nut Orchards

Costs and emissions associated with the disposal of pruning by open burning,

grinding for biomass and by chipping for land incor poration have also been

developed in Chapter 5. The emissions are presente d in Tables 5-7 and 5-8 of

this report. As shown there, per acre emission red uctions are greater when

considering land incorporation chipping in lieu of open burning (versus grinding to

biomass fuel in lieu of open burning). Also, analy sis of the per acre costs

presented in Chapter 5 indicates that the costs for land incorporation chipping

are better defined and are less variable since issu es associated with price,

quality and demand for biomass fuel are not present

.

G.3 COST EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS

G.3.1 Orchard Removals

Table G-1 presents the results of the District’s ev aluation of cost effectiveness of

converting orchard removal waste to biomass fuel by grinding versus open

burning for orchards other than citrus. Likewise, Table G-2 presents the results

of the District’s evaluation of cost effectiveness of converting orchard removal

waste to biomass fuel by grinding versus open burni ng for citrus orchards. The

tables present results for plot sizes between 1 and 20 acres, and include the cost

and emission information presented in Tables 5-4 an d 5-5 (expected emissions

and cost for burning per acre, expected emissions a nd cost for grinding per acre,

differential emissions and cost per acre) and the c ost effectiveness calculations.

The cost structure shown in the tables reflects a $ 5,000 minimum charge

required for orchard removals by grinding to biomas s and a minimum charge of

$1,150 for orchard removal by open burning. The fl at per acre charge only

becomes effective after the minimum project cost is exceeded. As a result, peracre costs and cost effectiveness value is generall y higher for smaller acreages,

trending to a lower fixed value for larger acreages as would be expected.

Table G-3 presents a similar analysis for vineyard removals using the emissions

and cost data of Table 5-6 (Chapter 5). As with or chards, per-acre costs and

cost effectiveness value is generally higher for sm aller acreages, trending to a

lower fixed value for larger acreages.San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District May 20, 2010Revised July 21, 2010G-3Appendix G: Cost Effectiveness AnalysisFinal Staff Report andRecommendations on Agricultural BurningNOxPM2.5VOCNOxPM2.5VOCNOxPM2.5VOCNOxPM2.5VOCNOx+ PM2.5+VOC1 0.0945 0.1240 0.1075 $1,150 0.0575 0.0145 0.0065 $5,244 0.0370 0.1095 0.1010 $4,094 $110,600 $37,400 $40,500 $16,5002 0.0925 0.1243 0.1073 $575 0.0503 0.0143 0.0065 $2,744 0.0422 0.1100 0.1008 $2,169 $51,400 $19,700 $21,500 $8,6003 0.0918 0.1242 0.1072 $383 0.0480 0.0142 0.0065 $1,911 0.0438 0.1100 0.1007 $1,527 $34,900 $13,900 $15,200 $6,0004 0.0915 0.1241 0.1073 $288 0.0468 0.0141 0.0065 $1,494 0.0447 0.1100 0.1008 $1,207 $27,000 $11,000 $12,000 $4,7005 0.0913 0.1242 0.1072 $267 0.0465 0.0141 0.0065 $1,244 0.0448 0.1101 0.1007 $977 $21,800 $8,900 $9,700 $3,8006 0.0912 0.1242 0.1072 $267 0.0460 0.0141 0.0065 $1,077 0.0452 0.1101 0.1007 $810 $17,900 $7,400 $8,000 $3,2007 0.0911 0.1241 0.1072 $267 0.0459 0.0141 0.0065 $958 0.04520.1100 0.1007 $691 $15,300 $6,300 $6,900 $2,7008 0.0910 0.1242 0.1072 $267 0.0456 0.0141 0.0065 $869 0.04540.1101 0.1007 $602 $13,300 $5,500 $6,000 $2,3009 0.0909 0.1242 0.1072 $267 0.0456 0.0141 0.0065 $800 0.04530.1101 0.1007 $533 $11,800 $4,800 $5,300 $2,10010 0.0909 0.1242 0.1072 $267 0.0453 0.0141 0.0065 $744 0.0456 0.1101 0.1007 $477 $10,500 $4,300 $4,700 $1,86012 0.0908 0.1242 0.1072 $267 0.0450 0.0140 0.0065 $661 0.0458 0.1102 0.1007 $394 $8,600 $3,600 $3,900 $1,53014 0.0908 0.1242 0.1072 $267 0.0450 0.0141 0.0065 $632 0.0458 0.1101 0.1007 $365 $8,000 $3,300 $3,600 $1,42015 0.0908 0.1242 0.1072 $267 0.0449 0.0141 0.0065 $632 0.0459 0.1101 0.1007 $365 $8,000 $3,300 $3,600 $1,42016 0.0908 0.1242 0.1072 $267 0.0448 0.0141 0.0065 $632 0.0460 0.1101 0.1007 $365 $7,900 $3,320 $3,620 $1,42018 0.0907 0.1242 0.1072 $267 0.0448 0.0141 0.0065 $632 0.0459 0.1101 0.1007 $365 $8,000 $3,320 $3,620 $1,42020 0.0907 0.1242 0.1072 $267 0.0447 0.0141 0.0065 $632 0.0460 0.1101 0.1007 $365 $7,900 $3,320 $3,620 $1,420Basis:30 BDT/acre for other orchard4 BDT/acre for rootsRoots are burned in burning caseRoots are transported to composting operation for grinding caseGrind & haul cost includes $244 for root compostingTable G-1Cost Effectiveness Analysis Using District DataOpen Burning versus Grind and Haul for Orchards other than CitrusCost Basis: Chipper Contractor Quotations Jan 2010OrchardRemovalSizeOpen Burning Grind & Haul Difference Cost EffectivenessEmissionsTons per AcreCost$/acreEmissionsTons per AcreCost$/acreEmissions ReductionTons per AcreCost$/acre$ Per TonSan Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District May 20, 2010Revised July 21, 2010G-4Appendix G: Cost Effectiveness AnalysisFinal Staff Report andRecommendations on Agricultural BurningNOxPM2.5VOCNOxPM2.5VOCNOxPM2.5VOCNOxPM2.5VOCNOx+ PM2.5+VOC1 0.0945 0.1240 0.1075 $1,150 0.0575 0.0145 0.0065 $5,244 0.0370 0.1095 0.1010 $4,094 $110,600 $37,400 $40,500 $16,5002 0.0925 0.1243 0.1073 $575 0.0503 0.0143 0.0065 $2,744 0.0422 0.1100 0.1008 $2,169 $51,400 $19,700 $21,500 $8,6003 0.0918 0.1242 0.1072 $400 0.0480 0.0142 0.0065 $1,911 0.0438 0.1100 0.1007 $1,511 $34,500 $13,700 $15,000 $5,9004 0.0915 0.1241 0.1073 $400 0.0468 0.0141 0.0065 $1,494 0.0447 0.1100 0.1008 $1,094 $24,500 $9,900 $10,900 $4,3005 0.0913 0.1242 0.1072 $400 0.0465 0.0141 0.0065 $1,244 0.0448 0.1101 0.1007 $844 $18,800 $7,700 $8,400 $3,3006 0.0912 0.1242 0.1072 $400 0.0460 0.0141 0.0065 $1,077 0.0452 0.1101 0.1007 $677 $15,000 $6,200 $6,700 $2,6007 0.0911 0.1241 0.1072 $400 0.0459 0.0141 0.0065 $958 0.04520.1100 0.1007 $558 $12,400 $5,100 $5,500 $2,2008 0.0910 0.1242 0.1072 $400 0.0456 0.0141 0.0065 $869 0.04540.1101 0.1007 $469 $10,300 $4,300 $4,700 $1,8009 0.0909 0.1242 0.1072 $400 0.0456 0.0141 0.0065 $800 0.04530.1101 0.1007 $400 $8,800 $3,600 $4,000 $1,60010 0.0909 0.1242 0.1072 $400 0.0453 0.0141 0.0065 $769 0.0456 0.1101 0.1007 $369 $8,100 $3,400 $3,700 $1,44012 0.0908 0.1242 0.1072 $400 0.0450 0.0140 0.0065 $769 0.0458 0.1102 0.1007 $369 $8,100 $3,300 $3,700 $1,44014 0.0908 0.1242 0.1072 $400 0.0450 0.0141 0.0065 $769 0.0458 0.1101 0.1007 $369 $8,100 $3,400 $3,700 $1,44015 0.0908 0.1242 0.1072 $400 0.0449 0.0141 0.0065 $769 0.0459 0.1101 0.1007 $369 $8,000 $3,400 $3,700 $1,44016 0.0908 0.1242 0.1072 $400 0.0448 0.0141 0.0065 $769 0.0460 0.1101 0.1007 $369 $8,000 $3,350 $3,660 $1,44018 0.0907 0.1242 0.1072 $400 0.0448 0.0141 0.0065 $769 0.0459 0.1101 0.1007 $369 $8,000 $3,350 $3,660 $1,44020 0.0907 0.1242 0.1072 $400 0.0447 0.0141 0.0065 $769 0.0460 0.1101 0.1007 $369 $8,000 $3,350 $3,660 $1,440Basis:30 BDT/acre for citrus4 BDT/acre for rootsRoots are burned in burning caseRoots are transported to composting operation for grinding caseGrind & haul cost includes $244 for root compostingDifferenceEmissionsTons per AcreOpen BurningCost$/acreTable G-2Cost Effectiveness Analysis Using District DataOpen Burning versus Grind and Haul for CitrusCost Basis: Chipper Contractor Quotations Jan 2010EmissionsTons per AcreCost Effectiveness$ Per TonOrchardRemovalSizeCost$/acreGrind & HaulEmissions ReductionTons per AcreCost$/acreSan Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District May 20, 2010Revised July 21, 2010G-5Appendix G: Cost Effectiveness AnalysisFinal Staff Report andRecommendations on Agricultural BurningNOxPM2.5VOCNOxPM2.5VOCNOxPM2.5VOCNOxPM10VOCNOx+ PM2.5+VOC1 0.0210 0.0220 0.0190 $1,150 0.0305 0.0030 0.0020 $5,725 0.0000 0.0190 0.0170 $4,575 N/A $240,800 $269,100 $172,6002 0.0193 0.0220 0.0190 $575 0.0233 0.0028 0.0018 $3,225 0.0000 0.0192 0.0172 $2,650 N/A $138,000 $154,100 $81,8003 0.0185 0.0220 0.0190 $383 0.0210 0.0027 0.0017 $2,392 0.0000 0.0193 0.0173 $2,008 N/A $104,100 $116,100 $58,9004 0.0183 0.0220 0.0190 $288 0.0199 0.0026 0.0016 $1,975 0.0000 0.0194 0.0174 $1,688 N/A $87,000 $97,000 $47,9005 0.0180 0.0220 0.0190 $230 0.0195 0.0026 0.0016 $1,725 0.0000 0.0194 0.0174 $1,495 N/A $77,100 $85,900 $42,4006 0.0179 0.0220 0.0190 $213 0.0190 0.0026 0.0016 $1,558 0.0000 0.0194 0.0174 $1,345 N/A $69,300 $77,300 $37,7007 0.0176 0.0219 0.0190 $213 0.0186 0.0026 0.0016 $1,439 0.0000 0.0193 0.0174 $1,226 N/A $63,500 $70,500 $34,3008 0.0178 0.0219 0.0189 $213 0.0183 0.0026 0.0016 $1,350 0.0000 0.0193 0.0173 $1,137 N/A $58,900 $65,700 $31,5009 0.0177 0.0219 0.0189 $213 0.0181 0.0026 0.0016 $1,281 0.0000 0.0193 0.0173 $1,068 N/A $55,300 $61,700 $29,50010 0.0177 0.0220 0.0190 $213 0.0182 0.0026 0.0016 $1,225 0.0000 0.0194 0.0174 $1,012 N/A $52,200 $58,200 $27,90012 0.0176 0.0220 0.0190 $213 0.0178 0.0026 0.0016 $1,142 0.0000 0.0194 0.0174 $929 N/A $47,900 $53,400 $25,40014 0.0175 0.0220 0.0190 $213 0.0176 0.0026 0.0016 $1,082 0.0000 0.0194 0.0174 $869 N/A $44,800 $50,000 $23,70015 0.0175 0.0220 0.0190 $213 0.0176 0.0026 0.0016 $1,058 0.0000 0.0194 0.0174 $845 N/A $43,600 $48,600 $23,00016 0.0175 0.0219 0.0190 $213 0.0176 0.0026 0.0016 $1,038 0.0000 0.0193 0.0174 $825 N/A $42,700 $47,400 $22,50018 0.0175 0.0219 0.0189 $213 0.0175 0.0026 0.0016 $1,003 0.0000 0.0193 0.0173 $790 N/A $40,900 $45,700 $21,60020 0.0175 0.0220 0.0190 $213 0.0175 0.0026 0.0016 $975 0.0000 0.0194 0.0174 $762 N/A $39,300 $43,800 $20,700* Grind and haul cost includes $650 per acre for removal of wire and stakes$75 per acre for composting rootsBasis5 BDT/acre for Vineyard1 BDT/acre for rootsRoots are burned in burning caseRoots are transported to composting operation for grinding caseGrind & HaulEmissions ReductionTons per AcreCost$/acreDifference Cost Effectiveness$ Per TonTable G-3Cost Effectiveness Analysis Using District DataOpen Burning versus Grind and Haul for Vineyards/KiwisCost Basis: Chipper Contractor Quotations Jan 2010EmissionsTons per AcreOpen BurningCost$/acreEmissionsTons per AcreOrchardRemoval SizeCost*$/acre

# San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control Di strict May 20, 2010

Revised July 21, 2010

G-6 Appendix G: Cost Effectiveness Analysis

Final Staff Report and

Recommendations on Agricultural Burning 

# G.3.2 Prunings

Based on the above emissions, the District has exam ined cost effectiveness only for

land incorporation chipping operations (which provi des the greatest emission

reduction). The results are presented in Table G-4 . The analysis is based on an

orchard of twenty acres with chipping costs varying between $30 and $60 per acre.

This price range is inclusive of both the District’ s information and the estimate

provided by the ag industry.

Based on the information developed by the District, the most likely scenario is a

chipping price between $30 to $45 per acre which yi elds a cost effectiveness varying

between approximately $1,052 and $3,026 per ton of emission reduction.

Table G- 4

Cost Effectiveness of Land Incorporation Chipping i n Lieu of Open Burning for Disposal

of Orchard Pruning

(20 Acre Orchard)

NOx PM2.5 VOC

Chip

Cost

($/acre) Burning

Cost

($/acre) Delta

Cost

($/acre) Emission

Reduction

(lb/acre) Cost

Effectiveness

($/ton) Emission

Reduction

(lb/acre) Cost

Effectiveness

($/ton) Emission

Reduction

(lb/acre) Cost

Effectiveness

($/ton)

30 22 8 1.5 10,667 7.7 2,078 6 2,667

45 22 23 1.5 30,667 7.7 5,974 6 7,667

60 22 38 1.5 50,667 7.7 9,870 6 12,667