From: Bradley Hubbard-Nelson <bradhn@mindspring.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 16, 2019 3:18 PM
To: RPS, DOER (ENE)
Subject: Objection to adding biomass to the renewable portfolio
standard (RPS)
Wednesday
July 16th 2019
To
the commissioner,
We object to adding wood-chip biomass into the Renewable Power Standard, for a number of reasons outlined below. Upon conderation, the Concord Municipal Light Board decided that it would not purchase power from the proposed Palmer Biomass facility, with many of these arguments made.
Summary
of objections:
1) Biomass
is not a low-emissions fuel source, for a number of reasons
a.
Relatively low efficiency plant
b.
CO2 emissions higher than coal, oil or natural gas
c.
Energy intensive to harvest and prepare fuel
d. Replacement trees take several decades to regrow
2) Wood
biomass is being considered for the RPS, which is a bad idea for several reasons
a.
Previous administration decided not to include it, because it
isn’t carbon neutral
b.
Exportation of biomass to the UK (since included in their
equivalent of RPS) is devastating parts of the southeast US. This could happen
here
c. Biomass industry presents itself as ‘environmentally friendly’ but it considers forest resources not put to productive use as lost income.
3) We
are currently in a biodiversity crash (“the sixth extinction) during our
lifetime
a.
Population of wild vertebrates and insects down by 70% from 30
years ago
b.
Million species may be lost in next decades
c.
Need for wildlife corridors to be expanded and protected (EO
Wilson)
d. Growing wood chip market will put pressure on forests throughout New England
4) Wood
chip biomass emits particulate emissions
a.
PM2.5 levels lead to higher levels of Asthma
b.
Why biomass plant being planed for disadvantaged communities
c.
Original intention was to burn construction and demolition debris,
aggravating emissions
In
sumary, we commend Belmont, Concord, Holden and Middleborough
municipal utilities for deciding against the purchase of biomass electricity.
Bradley Hubbard-Nelson (bradhn@mindspring.com)
221
Nashawtuc Rd
Concord
MA 01742
Concord
Sustainability and Energy Committee