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Under the proposed rule, some portion of currently land -applied Class B biosolids are expected to then be disposed of in landfills or be converted to Class AA biosolids. The reduction in land application rates, loss of land application sites, and shift away from land application could result in: • Loss of biosolids hauling contracts • Loss of jobs with biosolids hauling companies. • Loss of grass production and income for land owners. • Increased operational expenses for biosolids haulers, and; • Loss of cost savings and production for cattle ranchers and hay fairmers. Under the revised rule, biosolids land application rates will drop by an average of 75%. Some farmers indicate an economic value of about $60 per acre in fertilizer savings though biosolids land application. In 2018, approximately 84,000 acres were utilized for the land application of biosolids, which would represent a current fertilizer cost savings of approximately $5,040,000. This would be a loss of $3,780,000 in cost savings annually if 75% less biosolids can be applied per acre. Not all 84,000 acres may receive sufficient quantities of biosolids to represent the $60 per acre savings. However, the $60 savings is conservative when compared to past EPA estimates of $160 value per acre, which included the costs to spread the material and not just the cost of fertilizer itself. Any loss of production is not included in this SERC, as it is unknown. Industry comments suggested an annual $3,000,000 loss in cost savings based on the quantity of Class B biosolids, and a $40 fertilizer value per acre based on a complete loss of Class B biosolids. I If any of these questions are answered "Yes," presume that there is a likely and adverse impact in excess of $1 million, and the rule must be submitted to the legislature for ratification. i B. Is the rule likely to, directly or indirectly, have an adverse impact on business competitiveness, including the ability of persons doing business in the state to compete with persons doing business in other states or domestic markets, productivity, or innovation in excess of $1 million in the aggregate within 5 years after the implementation of the rule? 1. Is the rule likely to raise the price of goods or services provided by Florida business?l ® Yes ❑ No 2. Is the rule ilikely to add regulation that is not present in other states or markets? ® Yes ❑ No 141