Development of a National Research and Development Network for Agricultural Uses of FGD Gypsum Warren Dick, The Ohio State University Ken Ladwig, EPRI

1.What FGD materials can be used? 2.What are the potential benefits of FGD gypsum that can be captured for agriculture? 3.What soils/crops are responsive to FGD gypsum? 4.Where are the responsive soils and crops located in the United States? 5.How do we come up with the proper recommendation rates? Questions/Issues to be Addressed by Workshop

6.How will scrubbing processes and boiler additives affect FGD gypsum quality? 7.How can a consistent supply and quality of FGD be guaranteed? 8.What are potential environmental issues? 9.What are the regulatory barriers? 10.What are the scientific/technological barriers Questions/Issues to be Addressed by Workshop

11.What are the education/extension barriers? 12.What is the monetary value of a ton of FGD for agricultural use? 13.What are the marketing barriers? 14.Other? Questions/Issues to be Addressed by Workshop

Review of Themes form the Past Two Days 1.Hg / Trace Element Information Needed 2.Soil / Crop Variables that Affect Performance and Environmental Quality 3.Web Site for Archiving Agriculturally- Related Information 4.Standards of FGD Materials for Agricultural Use

Review of Themes from the Past Two Days 5. No-Tillage and Carbon Credits 6. Education / Extension 7. Other Themes?

Review of Themes from the Past Two Days

Proposal for An Agricultural FGD Research Network

What is the Value of a Community With Common Goals? A community with common interests and common goals can more effectively solve problems and create new opportunities than a single entity working alone.

Why is There a Need for a National Network? Currently information related to agricultural uses of FGD gypsum and other FGD products is scattered and not easily accessible. The purpose of the network is to easily facilitate information retrieval and transfer and to enhance all aspects of work related to beneficial agricultural reuse of FGD products.

What are the Goals of the National Network? The network will serve as (1) a resource for solving technical questions (2) a place for demonstration of agricultural benefits (3) an aid in marketing (4) a source of information obtained via accepted scientific means. The network will also be important as an archive of information that can be shared across states.

How Will Members in the National Network Benefit? Members will have research conducted on their FGD materials under local climatic and cropping conditions. Members will also have access to data from other studies conducted as part of the network. Members will have access to research sites for use in demonstration/marketing efforts.

How Will the National Network Operate? This has yet to be worked out in detail but will involve an advisory committee comprised of various people interested in safe and beneficial use of FGD gypsum in agriculture. The Ohio State University will serve as the hub of network activities. Dr. Warren Dick has extensive experience in management of large projects and in working with FGD gypsum.

What Activities will be Conducted by the Network 1. Specialty Report Needs - Plant Uptake Data - Mined Gypsum vs. FGD Gypsum - Other? 2. Advisory Committee 3. Involvement of USDA 4. Setting up of Research Protocols 5. Research to be Conducted In-House or Through the Network

What Will be EPRI’s and The Ohio State University’s Role in the National Network? The Ohio State University, EPRI, DOE and CBRC are sponsors of this workshop. EPRI and CBRC will contribute funds to the network along with expertise and guidance. The Ohio State University, hopefully with help from USDA-ARS, will coordinate all of the activities of the network including the following:

Ohio State University’s Role Identify research partners / approve plans Conduct analysis of samples in a nationally approved laboratory Create an archive of research data Write reports as requested by funding agencies Coordinate network activities (e.g. help organize workshops, comparison of results across various states, etc.)

When Will the National Network be Initiated? Research at field sites should begin this fall. The goal is to have as many field research sites in operation by next spring as possible. New members can join the network at any time, but field work is seasonally oriented. It is impossible to start projects other than during normal crop production times.

Setting Up a Field Experiment T1T2T3T4 T5T6T7T8 T9T10T11T12 Summary of a Proposed Single Replicate of a Field Study 2 materials 5 rates 2 checks (+ -) 12 Treatments

Setting Up A Field Experiment Field Experiments will Include: Complete Analysis of FGD Sample Soil Sample Analysis of Pooled Sample from Each Replicate Before Treatment Soil Sample Analysis at Crop Harvest Agronomic and Climatic Data Plant Analysis Soil Water Analysis Specialty Analysis Per Prior Agreement (Soil Physical Properties)

How Much Will It Cost to Participate? We don’t have a specific figure determined as yet. It will depend on several factors such as: 1.Amount of Research Activity 2.Whether Research is In-House 3.Specialty Considerations

How Will Specific Research, Technology, Marketing, and Regulatory Issues be Addressed? Agriculturally-related research topics that address a specific need will be identified and developed. The Ohio State University will help identify the most appropriate research partner and coordinate the work among network participants.

Final Comments A network, as is proposed here, is only as strong as its individual members make it. Active participation will be needed to create the most effective network possible. Comments and suggestions to improve the network can be made to Ken Ladwig ( ) and Warren Dick