From: Joyce VandeKieft <joycevdkieft@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, June 7, 2019 11:33 AM
To: Judge, Michael (ENE); RPS, DOER (ENE)
Subject: Comment Period on Biomass Burning Rule Changes
Dear Mr. Judge and Other Public Servants,
I'm not surprised, but am extremely disappointed,
frustrated, and angry about not only the proposed changes in the RPS Class
I and RPS Class II regulations, but also the manner and timeliness of the way
they are being proposed. These proposed changes would incentivize climate
degradation, at a time when ALL forests, expecially those of New England, need
to be left intact, for their positive ability to sequester carbon, improve air
quality, provide homes for wildlife, etc.
The sneaky, secretive, hurried approach to proposing
these changes builds distrust and makes a sham of democratic and wise
decision-making processes. The proposed changes are extensive and
complex, requiring a significant amount of time for even an expert to analyze!
For the average citizen, there has not been time to read, review, and develop
comments on these complicated changes.
This process leads people to wonder: Who
do you answer to? Why attempt to make such changes in such
a grand hurry? What are you trying to hide? What/Who might
you be afraid of?
The comment deadliine is absurdly unreasonable. Public awareness of the extremely valuable role forests have in ameliorating climate change is increasing, yet support for reversal of these rules seems to be coming from small interest groups. (?) If this is the age-old argument about saving jobs, then develop jobs that support creating a future for coming generations, not incentivizing jobs that create threats to people's and our planet's health and stability.
This hurried, hidden rule-change process is unethical. The time line for further investigation, and public response must be extended. (Two days after the Springfield hearing, which also was held with little public foreknowledge?!) Really..
For so many essential reasons, DOER must extend the deadline for public comment for another 30 days to July 7, or at least to June 30, 2019.
Thanks for taking serious consideration. Please give necessary time to analyze, (once again?), communicate, and respond to this proposal.
Joyce Vande Kieft