To Commissioner Judson and John Wassam at DoER,
I am writing in support of the passing of H.853 “An act to
assure attainment of greenhouse gas emissions goals in alternative portfolio
standard.”
I support removing biomass from the APS and I would like
the bill further amended to remove biomass burning from the Renewable Portfolio
Standard as well. I do not support the changes that DoER
is proposing to the RPS Class I and Class II that would encourage burning wood.
I am very concerned about Massachusetts’ energy portfolio
and compliance to the Massachusetts Global Warming Solutions Act. The burning of biomass pollutes our
environment, adding CO2 emissions, destroying forests that act as carbon sinks,
and creates social injustice and public health concerns in communities already
suffering from poor air quality and high rates of asthma (such as Springfield MA).
This is unacceptable. With so much truly renewable clean energy available such
as solar and wind, there is no need to desecrate forests and pollute the air by
burning wood pellets or other biomass. In Massachusetts, we can do MUCH better
than that We can
be climate change and environmental justice leaders by removing biomass from
the RPS, and in no way should these technologies be considered for clean energy
subsidies. As many were chanting at the
hearings last night: “Don’t
pay Polluters—-we BREATHE what they BURN!”
I do not want money I pay into renewable energy sources
to go to biomass facilities.
Please do all you can to assure these facilities are not
subsidized and that money instead goes toward truly renewable clean energy
sources and protection of our forests.
Thank you so much for your time.
Sincerely,
Marcia Rotondo
144 School St
Somerville MA 02143