From:                                         Emma Linderman <emma@sparksinstitute.com>

Sent:                                           Friday, June 7, 2019 11:24 AM

To:                                               RPS, DOER (ENE)

Subject:                                     Testimony in opposition to proposed biomass plant regulations

 

Dear Department of Energy Resources staff,

 

I am writing in opposition to proposed regulations that would qualify operators of large-scale biomass electric-generating plants, such as the Palmer Renewable Energy plant proposed in Springfield,  for Renewable Portfolio Standard subsidies. 

 

Changing the standards to include biomass fails to take into account the climate changing impact of burning wood, and the local pollution it creates. It is NOT a good use of state regulations or funds.

 

Massachusetts can do better.  I urge you to work instead to advance plants and programs that do not burn our forests (nor build more gas infrastructure).  We have the technology to do better than this by choosing more sustainable energy methods, and must do so quickly.

 

I urge you to abandon any proposals/regulations to advance or subsidize biomass electric-generating plants.

 

Sincerely,

Christine E Linderman   277 Riverside Dr  Florence, MA 01062