From:                                                      McCarthy, Carolyn M <Carolyn_McCarthy@uml.edu>

Sent:                                                        Wednesday, May 15, 2019 8:07 AM

To:                                                            RPS, DOER (ENE)

Subject:                                                  Please Read: Oppose RPS Class I and RPS Class II Changes

 

To Whom It May Concern:

 

I am writing to strongly oppose the proposed changes to RPS Class I and RPS Class II regulations that would weaken restrictions on the use of wood bioenergy. Peer-reviewed scientific research from our own climate experts in Massachusetts (@ UMass Lowell) has shown that the climate impacts of wood bioenergy are worse than coal for decades to centuries under most management scenarios. Massachusetts could be in a position to lead on science-based climate policy – instead the proposed changes would increase emissions of climate pollutants while diminishing the capacity of forests to absorb those pollutants.

 

I write as a consultant for systems change, as an educator in climate science, and as a Millennial who, currently, has decided not to become a mother because I am well aware of the dangerous future we are heading towards if we do not take quick and unified action. I urge you to demonstrate that Massachusetts embraces science-based policy by taking biomass out of the APS and ensuring that it is not included in the RPS.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carolyn McCarthy

Resident of Lowell, Massachusetts

Program Associate, Climate Change Initiative