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.