The success of these demonstration projects led to statewide approval by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency of pads built with FGD material in June 1997, Butalia said. Farmers install the FGD pads themselves, or get a contractor to do it, Butalia said. Natural Resources Conservation Service, Soil and Water Conservation District, and AEP personnel help farmers with planning and construction of the pads. The cost to install FGD pads varies with the size of the pad. FGD material for constructing pads generally is available for free to interested farmers at the source plants.
Farmers have to pay to haul the material and for site work and material placement.
In some cases, the source plant also will transport the material free of cost to the site if it is nearby, Butalia said. If the plants ship FGD to the site free of charge, savings jump up to 60 to 85 percent. The strength of FGD material can be affected if it is exposed to freezing and thawing before it has had sufficient time to cure, Butalia said. For this reason, the FGD pad construction season is limited by OEPA to May 1 through Aug. 30. A three-week extension of the closing date was granted by OEPA this year, allowing the season to end Sept. 21.