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