From:                                         Pat Konecky <pat.konecky@gmail.com>

Sent:                                           Friday, June 7, 2019 11:04 AM

To:                                               RPS, DOER (ENE)

Subject:                                     Proposed changes in biomass use

 

I’m writing to urge the DOER to extend the comment period on the issue of changes to biomass burning regulations.  These changes should be rejected and the people of our state need more time to respond to this proposed hazard to our health and environment.

 

The current regulations were put in place for our protection.  The fact that wood is a renewable energy source, even when ‘sustainably sourced’ does not make it clean.  It’s carbon footprint can be greater than fossil fuels contributing significantly in the long term to the hazards of our changing climate.  We need to reduce co2 emissions as soon as possible, extending the deadline for this industry and weakening efficiency criteria pose unnecessary and significant dangers.   In the short term the burning process causes health issues  for local residents such as increased rates of asthma.  

 

Biomass has no place in our state’s clean energy portfolio.

 

Pat Konecky

Egremont MA