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 District 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 from the pruning or the removal of 

orchards and vineyards by grinding or chipping followed by conversion to either 

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

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

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

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

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

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

acre total emissions (PM2.5 + NOx + VOC), or: 

(($/acre)chip - ($/acre)burn)

CE =

(

(tonsemissions/acre)burn -(tonsemissions/acre)chip

)

The cost effectiveness calculated by the above expression will primarily be a 

function of the type of tree or plant (which determines the difficulty of removal 

and the amount and fuel quality of the waste, affecting 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 by most orchard 

contractors. 

G.2 PER ACRE COSTS AND EMISSIONS 

G.2.1 Orchard Removals 

Costs and emissions associated with orchard removals, 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 due to minimum project 

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

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

emissions are somewhat greater for small acreages due to the emissions 

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

independent of acreage removed. 
San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District 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 Harvested Nut Orchards 

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

grinding for biomass and by chipping for land incorporation have also been 

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

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

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

biomass fuel in lieu of open burning). Also, analysis 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 issues 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 evaluation 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 burning 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 and 5-5 (expected emissions 

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

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

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

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

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

becomes effective after the minimum project cost is exceeded. As a result, peracre costs and cost effectiveness value is generally 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 orchards, per-acre costs and 

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

lower fixed value for larger acreages. 
San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District May 20, 2010 

Revised July 21, 2010 

G-3 Appendix G: Cost Effectiveness Analysis 

Final Staff Report and 

Recommendations on Agricultural Burning

NOx PM2.5 VOC NOx PM2.5 VOC NOx PM2.5 VOC NOx PM2.5 VOC NOx + PM2.5 + VOC

1 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 0.0452 0.1100 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 0.0454 0.1101 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 0.0453 0.1101 0.1007 $533 $11,800 $4,800 $5,300 $2,100

10 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 $1,420

Basis:

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 composting

Table G-1 

Cost Effectiveness Analysis Using District Data 

Open Burning versus Grind and Haul for Orchards other than Citrus

Cost Basis: Chipper Contractor Quotations Jan 2010

Orchard 

Removal 

Size

Open Burning Grind & Haul Difference Cost Effectiveness

Emissions 

Tons per Acre Cost 

$/acre

Emissions 

Tons per Acre Cost 

$/acre

Emissions Reduction 

Tons per Acre Cost 

$/acre

$ Per Ton
San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District May 20, 2010 

Revised July 21, 2010 

G-4 Appendix G: Cost Effectiveness Analysis 

Final Staff Report and 

Recommendations on Agricultural Burning

NOx PM2.5 VOC NOx PM2.5 VOC NOx PM2.5 VOC NOx PM2.5 VOC NOx + PM2.5 + VOC

1 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 0.0452 0.1100 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 0.0454 0.1101 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 0.0453 0.1101 0.1007 $400 $8,800 $3,600 $4,000 $1,600

10 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 $1,440

Basis:

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 composting

Difference

Emissions 

Tons per Acre

Open Burning

Cost 

$/acre

Table G-2 

Cost Effectiveness Analysis Using District Data 

Open Burning versus Grind and Haul for Citrus

Cost Basis: Chipper Contractor Quotations Jan 2010

Emissions 

Tons per Acre

Cost Effectiveness

$ Per Ton Orchard Removal 

Size

Cost 

$/acre

Grind & Haul

Emissions Reduction 

Tons per Acre Cost 

$/acre
San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District May 20, 2010 

Revised July 21, 2010 

G-5 Appendix G: Cost Effectiveness Analysis 

Final Staff Report and 

Recommendations on Agricultural Burning

NOx PM2.5 VOC NOx PM2.5 VOC NOx PM2.5 VOC NOx PM10 VOC NOx + PM2.5 + VOC

1 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 $29,500

10 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 roots

Basis

5 BDT/acre for Vineyard1 BDT/acre for rootsRoots are burned in burning caseRoots are transported to composting operation for grinding case

Grind & Haul

Emissions Reduction 

Tons per Acre Cost 

$/acre

Difference Cost Effectiveness

$ Per Ton

Table G-3 

Cost Effectiveness Analysis Using District Data 

Open Burning versus Grind and Haul for Vineyards/Kiwis

Cost Basis: Chipper Contractor Quotations Jan 2010

Emissions 

Tons per Acre

Open Burning

Cost 

$/acre

Emissions 

Tons per Acre

Orchard 

Remova

l Size

Cost* 

$/acre
San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District 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 examined cost effectiveness only for 

land incorporation chipping operations (which provides 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 yields 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 in 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