To Commissioner Judson and John Wassam at DoER,

 

I am writing in support of the passing of H.853 “An act to assure attainment of greenhouse gas emissions goals in alternative portfolio standard.”

I support removing biomass from the APS and I would like the bill further amended to remove biomass burning from the Renewable Portfolio Standard as well. I do not support the changes that DoER is proposing to the RPS Class I and Class II that would encourage burning wood.

I am very concerned about Massachusetts’ energy portfolio and compliance to the Massachusetts Global Warming Solutions Act.  The burning of biomass pollutes our environment, adding CO2 emissions, destroying forests that act as carbon sinks, and creates social injustice and public health concerns in communities already suffering from poor air quality and high rates of asthma (such as Springfield MA). This is unacceptable. With so much truly renewable clean energy available such as solar and wind, there is no need to desecrate forests and pollute the air by burning wood pellets or other biomass. In Massachusetts, we can do MUCH better than that  We can be climate change and environmental justice leaders by removing biomass from the RPS, and in no way should these technologies be considered for clean energy subsidies.  As many were chanting at the hearings last night:  Don’t pay Polluters—-we BREATHE what they BURN!”

I do not want money I pay into renewable energy sources to go to biomass facilities.

Please do all you can to assure these facilities are not subsidized and that money instead goes toward truly renewable clean energy sources and protection of our forests.

 

Thank you so much for your time.

 

Sincerely,

 

Marcia Rotondo

144 School St

Somerville MA 02143