From:                                         Ferd Wulkan <ferdwulkan@gmail.com>

Sent:                                           Wednesday, June 19, 2019 9:02 AM

To:                                               RPS, DOER (ENE)

Subject:                                     Comment on proposed changes re biomass

 

 Dear Mr. Wassam,

 

I am writing to object to the proposal to allow biomass power plants to burn a variety of wood fuels, including whole trees, inconsistent with the Manomet definition of residues.

 

Massachusetts has been a leader in taking steps to protect the environment and combat global warming.  But weakening the RPS regulations by eliminating efficiency criteria for biomass power plants would be a big step backwards.  The  2012 Massachusetts RPS biomass rules were developed based on the results of a scientific study and that science remains unchanged. 

 

Furthermore, extending the timeframe for biomass facilities to show a net reduction in GHG emissions relative to fossil fuel plants is irresponsible when climate scientists are telling us we have to cut GHG emissions dramatically and very quickly in order to prevent catastrophic climate change.

I urge you to abandon these proposed changes to the RPS regulations that go counter to the spirit of our state's leadership on climate matters.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Ferd Wulkan

38 Main Street

Montague, MA 01351