From: Rema Loeb <greenwoman332000@yahoo.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 6, 2019 12:25 PM
To: RPS, DOER (ENE)
Subject: Fw: DOER RPS@Mass.gov
Comment on RPS Class1 and RPS Class 2
----- Forwarded
Message -----
From: Rema Loeb <greenwoman332000@yahoo.com>
To: Rema Loeb <greenwoman332000@yahoo.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 4, 2019, 3:06:49 PM EDT
Subject: Re: DOER RPS@Mass.gov Comment on RPS Class1
and RPS Class 2
Lobrose1
On Sunday, June 2,
2019, 7:54:13 PM EDT, Rema Loeb <greenwoman332000@yahoo.com> wrote:
I attended your
meeting in Amherst on May l6 and listened with great interest to the majority
comments opposing your revision of the RPS. Those few who agreed with you were
either tending to their own narrow business interests or expressing a view
totally irrelevant to the reality of Massachusetts forests. (California style
forest fires in soaking New England, really?). I am not a climate scientist,
although their views are to be taken most seriously at this time of 12 year
warnings to act before the climate crisis become irreversible. But you have
already heard such people, especially Dr. Bill Moomaw in Boston.
Similarly, you have
heard from a state senator and state legislator. You have been reminded about
the four years of scientific study that went into the RPS, warning against the
use of biomass, both in terms of climate and with the understanding of harm to children,
especially in the Springfield area, where asthma rates are already among the
highest in this nation. Health effects include ongoing lung problems and
decreased heart health, all in one of the poorest communities in the state. It
seems a clear case of climate injustice and an act of cruelty to do this to
already struggling people.
I watched your
committee's lack of interest as the testimony continued. One member stifled a
yawn a few times. It was a hearing - but it seemed you were not listening. Just
as the governor does not listen. You do not have to live here and watch your
child struggle for breath. You can collect your money and pretend you are doing
the right thing. But you are not.The Climate Crisis will determine the lives of
all of our children, grandchildren, and greats. What will you tell yours when
they ask why you did not protect their future, why you weakened rules that
affected children in other communities but eventually led as well to the
ongoing harm to the earth. Small souls have no answers in the end. Either we
will respect Nature or Nature will prevail.
Rema Loeb,122 East
Main Street, Plainfield, MA 01070