From: Susan Redlich <sredlich2010@hotmail.com>
Sent: Friday, June 7, 2019 1:12 PM
To: RPS, DOER (ENE)
Subject: Comments on changes in the RPS Class I and II Regulations
Dear Mr. Wassam,
The DOER proposed changes to RPS Class I and RPS Class II
regulations are a bad idea for several reasons:
1) If greater wood "bioenergy" were to be allowed in the
RPS, emissions of climate pollutants would increase, and the ability of
forests to absorb the pollutants would decrease*. The result would
be contrary to state climate policies to reduce carbon emissions.
2) Biomass should not be included in renewable category because
the effect would be to reduce the portion of cleaner renewables.
As the proponent of
these changes, DOER has a responsibility to consider the science-based
opposition, and withdraw the proposals.
Sincerely,
Susan Redlich
Cambridge, MA
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. Our own peer-reviewed scientific research 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 scientist and a mother of three boys, whose future hangs in the balance of the climate choices we make today. 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.