From: Patricia Hynes <hphynes@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2019 9:55 PM
To: RPS, DOER (ENE)
Cc: Blais, Natalie - Rep.; jo.comerford@masenate.gov
Subject: proposed state legislation to provide subsidies for biomass
plants and proposed siting in Springfield of biomass plant
Mr. John Wassam, DOER
Dear
Mr. Wassam,
In
this letter, I wish to register my opposition to state subsidies for biomass
plants and also to siting a biomass plant in Springfield.
The
state Department of Energy Resources (DOER) consider incineratingg biomass to
be “clean energy” and is promoting legislation to give state renewable energy
subsidies to biomass facilities. DOER) is also backing a proposed Palmer
Renewable Energy biomass plan to be sited in East Springfield, which will burn
wood chips, wood pellets and other wood products. Here are 3 reasons that
this legislation is reckless for the environment and and the proposed biomass
plant in Springfield is unjust.
1. Air pollution: Biomass burners pollute as much as coal – the dirtiest air polluter of all the fossil fuels – emitting air pollutants that cause and worsen asthma, resulting in ER visits, missed school and work days for children and their parents. Source: http://www.pfpi.net/air-pollution-22
2.
Climate Crisis: Burning whole trees for energy increases carbon emissions
compared to fossil fuels and does so for decades, given the lag time between
cutting trees and waiting for newly planted ones to mature. It is not
carbon neutral.
Montague,
MA