Save America's Forests - Press Conference Call

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July 29, 2010 - Hear an approximately 15 minute presentation by national biomass experts:

Dr. William Sammons, medical doctor with expertise in health impacts from biomass incinerators.
George Wuerthner, biologist, forest expert, ecologist, scientist, author talks about the destructive impacts of logging for biomass.
Attorney Margaret Sheehan, The Biomass Accountability Project, Masschusetts, leader in effort to change state and federal laws on biomass incinerators.
Cheryl Johncox, Buckeye Forest Council, Ohio, Interim Executive Director, where plans to switch from burning coal to wood at the Beckjord plant threaten to destroy forests in Ohio, Florida, and maybe even Canada.
Mike Ewall, Founder and Director of Energy Justice Network, a national network of citizens and organizations opposing biomass incinerators.
Carl Ross, Executive Director, Save America's Forests, a coordinator of the national Anti-Biomass Incinerator and Forest Protection Campaign based in Washington, D.C."

WAQY - Bax and O'Brien Show

May 12, 2010 - Bax and O'Brien talk with SSC's Rachel Roy and Chris Matera from MA Forest Watch.

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Mohawk Area Public Health Coalition

Letter to Commissioners

MAPHCO_BiomassLetter_01-04-10_signed.pdf

Burning Trash: Solution or Problem?

April 13, 2010 - To the Editor:

It is alarming to see The New York Times buying into the garbage industry greenwashing of incinerators as “clean energy.”

Around the world, there is a growing citizen backlash against incinerators that burn garbage and trees. The resulting electricity is dirtier than burning coal on a per megawatt basis. Garbage-burning emissions can cause cancer, heart disease, asthma and more.

In Massachusetts, there will be a statewide referendum in November to remove these incinerators from the state’s renewable portfolio standard, which requires a certain percentage of energy from renewable sources.

Taxpayers and ratepayers are outraged about paying billions in subsidies for this so-called green energy. The laws subsidizing these toxic incinerators must be changed.

Margaret E. Sheehan
Chairwoman, Stop Spewing Carbon Campaign
Cambridge, Mass.

Fire at Piney Creek Biomass Power Plant

On July 15th, 2009, a large stack of discarded dock piers burnt at the power plant's chipper. Crews were on scene all day, and into the night.

Every fire department in Clarion County had representatives and apparatus there to help fight the large fire, as well as a few departments from Venango and Jefferson Counties.

There were two Fire Fighter casualties of heat exhaustion that were transported to Clarion Hospital, and 2 more that were treated and released.

Medical Society Opposes Biomass Burning on Public Health Grounds

At an informational meeting on Biomass in Russell, MA yesterday provided by the Concerned Citizens of Russell Southwick resident, Dr. James Wang spoke of a recent vote and decision of the Hampden District Medical Society to formally oppose the building of the Russell Biomass Plant and left a letter attesting to that decision. Read the letter (PDF)

The board determined that the proposed Russell Biomass Plant presents an unacceptable threat to the health of the citizens of the Pioneer Valley. In addition, you’ll find that one of Westfield’s City Councilor’s, Nick Morganelli who as a Meteorologist and American Lung Association board member was quoted in the letter. Nick identified that the geography of our valley increases the risk of collection of air pollutants.

Are Biomass Jobs and Revenues Real?

Biomass power plants (BPPs) are being considered by communities like Russell and Greenfield because of promises of jobs and tax revenues. But are these real? Will the BPPs even operate?

Change the law that says burning biomass is ‘green’

By Gene H. Theroux
Special to the Southwick Suffield News

I am working on a very exciting ballot initiative that affects all of us. People are gathering signatures all over Massachusetts in an effort to curtail biomass subsidies. This ballot question would allow voters to stop paying through the nose to build and run biomass incinerators. This would be accomplished by limiting the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) that biomass plants can emit in order to qualify as “renewable energy” under Massachusetts law.

Lt. Gov. Murray Visits Greenfield

by Shane Symolon
GREENFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The state is reaching out to local cities trying to weather these tough economic times. Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray visited Greenfield to work with local officials on some big problems.

Town officials and residents filled the Greenfield Community College meeting room, hoping for some ideas. Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray tried to connect them to members of his administration to find answers.

To read the rest of the story check out this link - WWLP - Lt. Murray in Greenfield

Biomass One Fire

Watch this video of fires at Oregon's Biomass One plant. (The massive damp chip piles at biomass plants heat up on their own and are prone to spontaneous combustion.)

New York Times: June 18, 2010

Here's a link to an article on biomass burning in the NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/19/science/earth/19biomass.html

People's Voice of Franklin County

Open Forum Part 1 - Winter 2009-2010

PeoplesV.pdf

Our Forests Under Siege

Berkshire Record, April 9 - 15, 2010

BerkshireRecord_MyTurn_04-09-10.pdf
BerkshireRecord_MyTurn_04-09-10_FOOTNOTED.pdf

Student Speaks Out About Greenfield's Biomass Plant

Watch this clear presentation Taran Weeks, a ninth grade student from Greenfield talking about biomass burning plant proposed for his community.

He describes the "biomass loophole" and unregulated CO2, and NOx and particulates from the smokestack, and water, traffic, and forestry impacts.
Jared understands that biomass burning uses taxpayer and ratepayer money for an inefficient, polluting technology disguised as "green" and that it is certainly not "carbon neutral."

We hope that Congress and our state legislature can think as clearly about biomass burning and end federal subsidies for these "incinerators in disguise."

PRESS ALERT: Massachusetts air pollution ballot initiative targets biomass incinerators

October 15, 2009 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press contact: Margaret E. Sheehan, Esq., This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 508-259-9154

Massachusetts Ballot Initiative to Reduce Air Pollution from Biomass Burning

A citizen-led network announced this week a statewide campaign to place on the 2010 ballot a question to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in Massachusetts.

The ballot question will limit carbon dioxide emissions from biomass and waste to energy incinerators to 250 pounds per megawatt hour. Currently, these incinerators produce more carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) than coal burning plants, yet they receive taxpayer and ratepayer subsidies intended for clean energy. The ballot question will help ensure that public funds are used for jobs and investments in energy conservation, efficiency, solar and properly sited wind and geothermal energy rather than for biomass burning incinerators.

American Lung Association has concerns as well!

The American Lung association also has concerns over Biomass Plants and the affects air quality. Read their letter to the Editor and watch the video.

Senator Stan Rosenberg on Biomass

“These are not Renewable Facilities”

Our friends at the Enviro Show recently hosted a live interview with State Senator Stanley Rosenberg. Glenn Ayers asked Senator Stan if he was familiar with a citizens’ ballot initiative that would remove biomass incinerators from the state’s renewable portfolio standard.

“No, I’m not familiar with it, but I think that would be an excellent idea—we fought over that in the legislature but we lost that battle—we mitigated to some extent that language but not enough…Those are not renewable facilities.”

Listen to Senator Rosenberg's position on biomass plants and the state’s renewable energy policy:

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The EnviroShow airs at WXOJ 103.3 FM, alternate Tuesdays, 6:30-7:30, and podcasts from their site.

What's happening to our Forests?

Check out these photos of our local state forests. Who's doing this? Why are they doing this? Where are all the Trees going?

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Biomass: The Burning Issue

From Monte Belmonte
WRSI - The River
Hillary Lister from Athens, ME has fought off biomass in her town and is now helping the folks of Greenfield to keep biomass at bay.

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Tom Neilson on WRSI

From Monte Belmonte
WRSI - The River
Tom Neilson is a Greenfield singer/songwriter and political activist who happened to stop by the kitchen of my friends house during a potluck to serenade us with anti-biomass music.

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