Dear Mr. Wassam,

 

I am writing to strongly support REMOVING biomass burning plants from the Alternative Portfolio Standard.

 

As someone with severe asthma (and with a child who has asthma) it would be personally life-threatening for biomass burning plants to be built in Massachusetts. Allowing biomass plants to qualify for renewable energy credits would encourage them to be built. These plants would cause a severe increase in the release of very small particles into the air (even if the plants are supposedly built to prevent this.) These particles are deposited in the lungs of humans causing increased health issues.

 

It is likely that a new biomass plant will be built in East Springfield if biomass plants are allowed renewable energy credits. Springfield is labeled the Asthma Capital of the U.S. by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. It would be a horrible injustice to all the children and adults of this area who already struggle with health issues to allow a biomass plant to add to their serious health challenges.

 

I ask you to please put the health and safety of the citizens of Massachusetts over the profits of those wanting to build biomass plants.

 

Thank you.

 

Sincerely,

Deborah Charren

Northampton, MA 01060