Learn more about Biomass’ climate impacts
» The Great Biomass Boondoggle
by Mary Booth
from the New York Review of Books
Proposed changes to the RPS
BIOMASS – DOER is proposing changes to the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) that call for elimination of 2012 efficiency criteria for biomass power plants that burn significantly expanded categories of “salvage” wood and “residues”. Both the efficiency requirement cuts and the expanded category definitions will result in increased emissions. DOER also proposes to eliminate Massachusetts-specific forest harvesting criteria, which are critical to ensuring actual biosequestration for the qualifying biomass. DOER’s calculations further grossly underestimate lifecycle CO2 emissions from bioenergy by neglecting to also account for fossil fuels burned during harvesting, processing, and transport of biomass. DOER’s biomass proposal incentivizes logging and burning trees for electricity without any justification based in environmental or climate science. This will increase CO2 emissions and decrease carbon sequestration. These changes will allow polluting and inefficient wood-burning biomass power plants in Maine, New Hampshire and elsewhere that are currently ineligible for the MA RPS to receive tens of millions of dollars in renewable energy credits (RECs), and will incentivize new biomass plants to be constructed in MA and beyond.TRASH INCINERATION (RPS Class II) - DOER also proposes increasing the RPS Class II waste-to-energy rate. Burning solid waste is highly polluting and already produces 750,000 tons of incinerator ash containing heavy metals, furans, and dioxin each year, which must be disposed of in landfills. For those forced to live in close proximity to these facilities, the effects are even more dire. Studies show residents near incinerators suffer increased rates of disease and shorter life expectancy.HYDROELECTRIC GENERATORS – DOER proposes to remove a requirement for recertification from the Low Impact Hydropower Institute (“LIHI”). Currently, an RPS-eligible hydropower facility must meet rigorous standards for river flows, water quality, fish passage and protection, watershed protection, threatened and endangered species protection, cultural resource protection, and recreation. Rivers are dynamic ecological systems, and the recertification process as currently required ensures that negative environmental impacts continue to be minimized in a manner consistent with the Green Communities Act (“GCA”). Watering down and removing the requirement for recertification from LIHI would undermine a project operator’s motivation to improve their systems and minimize their environmental impact over time. A qualified project would effectively receive a lifetime qualification regardless of any environmental changes or technological advances that would prompt updated conditions to protect river systems.CHANGES TO THE SREC-1 PROGRAM – The proposed changes, by limiting overall SREC eligibility to 10 years, would reduce the amount of time that solar projects are eligible to generate SRECs by at least one quarter and up to 4 years.IMPORTED ENERGY – DOER has proposed to remove the requirement that energy generated outside of New England be imported under a contract and delivered into New England in order to be eligible to create a Renewable Energy Certificate (“REC”) used to demonstrate compliance with the MA RPS. The proposed change goes against rules that have been in effect for over 15 years and are set in Massachusetts RPS statute. This change threatens the integrity of the REC market and opens the door for sham energy trades to generate RECs that could destabilize the market, causing a lack of trust and making it harder for renewable energy projects to grow within the region.
Comment period on proposed changes
PALMER RENEWABLE ENERGY
Proposed biomass plant in Springfield
» FAQ Sheet on PRE Plant and DOER Changes to Biomass / RPS Regulations
» Info about E. Springfield Biomass Plant
BIOMASS REPORTS/POLICIES
» A BAD BIOMASS BET
WHY THE LEADING APPROACH TO BIOMASS ENERGY WITH CARBON CAPTURE AND STORAGE ISN’T CARBON NEGATIVE
By NRDC
October 2021
» Greenhouse gas emissions from burning US-sourced woody biomass in the EU and UK
By Chatham House
October 14, 2021
» Comments on Draft Regulations Amending Renewable Portfolio Standard Class I and II Regulations, 225 C.M.R. §§ 14.00 et seq.and15.00 et seq.( H.5169)
MA OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, Maura Healey
December 23, 2020
» Commonwealth Accelerated Renewable Thermal Strategy
Final Report
Prepared for: Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources
By Navigant Consulting, Inc.
January 2014
BIOMASS NEWS
» Australia rejects forest biomass in first blow to wood pellet industry
By Justin Catanoso, Mongabay
December 21, 2022
» Court upholds decision to revoke permits for Springfield biomass plant
By Dharna Noor, Boston Globe
December 5, 2022
» Whistleblower: Enviva claim of ‘being good for the planet… all nonsense’
By Justin Catanoso, Mongabay
December 5, 2022
» EU votes to curb tree burning for fuel, but falls short of phasing it out
By Jim Regan, Renew Economy
September 15, 2022
» Europe Is Sacrificing Its Ancient Forests for Energy
Governments bet billions on burning timber for green power. The Times went deep into one of the continent’s oldest woodlands to track the hidden cost.
By Sarah Hurtes and Weiyi Cai, New York Times
September 7, 2022
» Wood-burning power plants in Mass. won’t qualify for renewable energy credits. Local activists are celebrating
By Luis Fieldman, MassLive
August 12, 2022
» Maine plan for wood-fired power plants draws praise and skepticism
Critics characterize the program, which would capture waste heat for industrial use, as a handout to the timber industry and question whether it will result in meaningful emissions reductions.
By Sarah Shemkus, Energy News Network
June 2, 2022
» As biomass burning surges in Japan and South Korea, where will Asia get its wood?
By Annelise Giseburt, Mongabay
May 19, 2022
» EU Parliament’s Environment Committee urges scale back of biomass burning
By Justin Catanoso, Mongabay
May 18, 2022
» Missing the emissions for the trees: Biomass burning booms in East Asia
By Justin Catanoso, Mongabay
May 11, 2022
» Biomass Industry Pushes Back Against Europe’s Plans To Protect Woodlands
Leaked documents show UK power plant Drax is at the heart of lobbying efforts to dilute EU biodiversity rules that could limit its supply of wood.
By Phoebe Cooke, DeSmog Blog
April 12, 2022
» Mass. revisits rules about burning wood for electricity, including environmental justice protections
By Miriam Wasser, WBUR
March 29, 2022
» Tree-burning Drax power plants dropped from green energy index
The world’s largest biomass-burning power generator faces doubts over the sustainability of burning of wood pellets as a replacement for coal
By Adria Vasil, Corporate Knights
January 11, 2022
» How Burning Wood Pellets in Europe Is Harming the U.S. South
A globe-trotting tale of questionable renewable standards, market-driven forest management, and shaky carbon accounting.
By Jake Dean, Slate
January 3, 2022
» Baker’s new biomass rules are step backward
Roll back climate, forest protections enacted in 2012
By Mary S. Booth, CommonWealth Magazine | Opinion
November 19, 2021
» Drax is expected to profit from UK energy crisis until 2023
Company’s shares hit seven-year high after revealing plans to invest £3bn despite questions over biomass
By Jillian Ambrose, The Guardian
December 1, 2021
» ‘Sustainable Bioenergy Declaration’ Signed by Drax During COP26 Talks ‘Incompatible’ With Paris Agreement, Expert Warns
The ‘sustainability principles’ outlined in the document could in fact contribute to increased carbon emissions in the atmosphere, a policy analyst has claimed.
By Phoebe Cooke and Rachel Sherrington, DeSmog Blog
November 12, 2021
» COP26: E.U. is committed to forest biomass burning to cut fossil fuel use
By Justin Catanoso, Mongabay
November 10, 2021
» The Biomass Industry Expands Across the South, Thanks in Part to UK Subsidies. Critics Say it’s Not ‘Carbon Neutral’
At next month’s climate talks in Scotland, Britain can’t get serious about reducing emissions without considering how much wood it burns for power, activists say.
By James Bruggers, Inside Climate News
October 17, 2021
» Forest biomass-burning supply chain is producing major carbon emissions: Studies
By Justin Catanoso, Mongabay
October 15, 2021
» Drax’s ‘Carbon Negative’ Bioenergy Claims ‘Wildly Exaggerated’, Study Argues
Responding to the analysis, Phil MacDonald, chief operating officer of Ember, said this was “exactly the kind of research that the UK government should be doing before it makes a decision on funding BECCS”.
By Phoebe Cooke, DeSmog Blog
October 13, 2021
» Biomass is promoted as a carbon neutral fuel. But is burning wood a step in the wrong direction?
Many scientists and environmental campaigners question the industry’s claims to offer a clean, renewable energy source that the planet desperately needs
By Rebecca Speare-Cole, The Guardian
October 5, 2021
» New bill would eliminate subsidies for biomass energy
By State House News Service
September 14, 2021
» Bill Aims To Stomp Out Biomass Power Subsidies
By Colin A. Young, State House News Service, in WBUR News
September 13, 2021
» Drax faces prosecution over health risk of dust from biomass pellets
Allegations relate to employee safety at power plant and spark renewed criticism from environmentalists
By Jillian Ambrose, The Guardian
September 2, 2021
» State wants to expose 5 South Shore towns to wood-burning power plants
The large-scale plants that would be eligible for state incentives under the newest proposed regulations burn 1,200 tons of wood per day.
By Wheeler Cowperthwaite, The Patriot Ledger
August 5, 2021
» Environmental justice designation coming under scrutiny
Is Lexington really environmentally overburdened?
By Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine
August 3, 2021
» Biomass power rules leave 35 towns in industry ‘crosshairs’
By Colin A. Young, State House News Service, in Berkshire Eagle
July 31, 2021
» Proposed biomass limits restrict new plants in 90 percent of state
Remaining 35 communities worried about pollution
By Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine
July 30, 2021
» Dear Jo with Sen. Jo Comerford: What gets defined as renewable energy?
By JO COMERFORD, Daily Hampshire Gazette | Column
July 27, 2021
» Biomass critics press lawmakers for more stringent regulations
By SCOTT MERZBACH, Daily Hampshire Gazette
July 26, 2021
» Biomass: The EU’s Great ‘Clean Energy’ Fraud
It turns out that for more than a decade, European power plants have merely been reducing their carbon footprint on paper by outsourcing their footprint to the United States.
By Alex Kimani, Oil Price
July 13, 2021
» How marginalized communities in the South are paying the price for ‘green energy’ in Europe
By Majlie de Puy Kamp, CNN
July 9, 2021
» EU eyes tighter rules for ‘renewable’ biomass energy – draft
By Kate Abnett, Reuters
June 16, 2021
» Forest advocates press EU leader to rethink views on biomass and energy
By Justin Catanoso, Mongabay
June 15, 2021
» Resolutions against subsidies for biomass plants coming before Franklin County voters
By ZACK DeLUCA, Greenfield Recorder
June 11, 2021
» Biomass is false solution to climate change
Recent state decisions are a step in right direction
By Philip Duffy and Alexander Rabin, CommonWealth Magazine | Opinion
May 14, 2021
Dr. Philip Duffy is president and executive director of Woodwell Climate Research Center in Woods Hole and Dr. Alexander Rabin is assistant professor of medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine specializing in pulmonary and critical care medicine.
» The IEA’s New Net Zero ‘Roadmap’ is Dangerously Reliant on Destructive Bioenergy
The influential agency is also wildly overestimating the amount of bioenergy currently in production, argues Biofuelwatch’s Almuth Ernsting.
By Almuth Ernsting, DeSmog Blog | Opinion
June 1, 2021
» Communities of Color in Eastern North Carolina Want Wood Pellet Byproducts Out of Their Neighborhoods—And Their Lungs
By Caryl Espinoza Jaen and Ellie Heffernan, INDY week
May 27, 2021
» Opinion/Green Sense: Biomass and the Renewable Portfolio Standard
By Gina Snyder, Reading Climate Committee associate emerita, in Wicked Local
May 5, 2021
» Construction deal reached for $15m Massachusetts biomass project
By Power Engineering International
May 3, 2021
» Paris climate agreement overlooks wood pellet loophole
“This rule that was designed to prevent you from counting carbon twice has effectively become a rule in which no carbon is counted at all.”
By Cameron Oglesby, Environmental Health News
April 26, 2021
» Mass. Backtracks On Renewable Energy Subsidies For Wood-Burning Biomass Plants
By Miriam Wasser, WBUR
April 16, 2021
» Baker retreats more on biomass power plants
Bars any facility in or near environmental justice community
By Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine
April 16, 2021
» Massachusetts Revokes Permit for Springfield Biomass Plant
By Partnership For Policy Integrity
April 5, 2021
» State revokes permit for proposed Springfield biomass plant
By BERA DUNAU, Daily Hampshire Gazette
April 4, 2021
» State has hopefully struck a fatal blow to Springfield power plant
By Yvonne Abraham, Boston Globe | Opinion
April 3, 2021
» Mass. Revokes Air Permit For Controversial Biomass Facility In Springfield
By Miriam Wasser, WBUR
April 2, 2021
» After years of protests, state officials revoke permit for controversial biomass plant in Springfield
By David Abel, Boston Globe
April 2, 2021
» Baker pulls plug on Springfield biomass power plant
DEP cites construction delay, health and environmental impacts
By Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine
April 2, 2021
» Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection revokes approval for East Springfield biomass plant
By Peter Goonan, MassLive
April 2, 2021
» Biomass a ‘misbegotten’ climate change trend
By Marty Nathan, Daily Hampshire Gazette | Opinion
March 31, 2021
» The ‘Green Energy’ That Might Be Ruining the Planet
The biomass industry is warming up the South’s economy, but many experts worry it’s doing the same to the climate. Will the Biden Administration embrace it, or cut it loose?
By MICHAEL GRUNWALD, Politico
March 26, 2021
» Springfield City Council enlists Conservation Law Foundation in fight against Palmer Renewable Energy biomass plant
By Jim Kinney, MassLive
March 23, 2021
» Green groups dispute power station claim that biomass is carbon-neutral
Drax in Yorkshire burns wood pellets to generate electricity, but forests cannot be replaced quickly enough, say campaigners
By Jillian Ambrose, The Guardian
March 22, 2021
» Despite his claims, science is not on Vic Gatto’s side
Proponent of biomass power plant is making up ‘facts’
By Mary S. Booth, CommonWealth Magazine | Opinion
March 18, 2021
» Dutch to limit forest biomass subsidies, possibly signaling EU sea change
By Justin Catanoso, Mongabay
March 9, 2021
» Palmer Renewable Energy can’t greenwash its emissions away (Guest viewpoint)
By Mary S. Booth, MassLive | Opinion
March 8, 2021
Mary S. Booth is the director of Partnership for Policy Integrity
» Drax Purchase Would Implicate the United Kingdom in Loss of Canadian Forests
The operator of the world’s largest wood-burning power station is doubling down on its destructive wood-burning business model.
By Elly Pepper Jennifer Skene Sasha Stashwick, NRDC | Blog
February 25, 2021
» Baker’s $175m regulatory gift to biomass
Few municipal light plants actually wanted project
By David Talbot, CommonWealth Magazine | Opinion
February 20, 2021
» Activists Urge Gov. Baker To Reverse Energy Rules That Boost Biomass
By Paul Tuthill, WAMC
February 17, 2021
» 500+ Scientists Demand Stop to Tree Burning as Climate Solution
“Companies are shifting fossil energy use to wood, which increases warming, as a substitute for shifting to solar and wind, which would truly decrease warming.”
By Andrea Germanos, Common Dreams
February 12, 2021
» RMLD GM O’Brien defends Palmer plant energy purchase
By BOB HOLMES, Daily Times Chronicle
February 9, 2021
» Town, state officials resist RMLD’s biomass power deal
By BOB HOLMES, Daily Times Chronicle
February 8, 2021
» Will new US EPA head continue his opposition to burning forests for energy?
By Justin Catanoso, Mongabay
February 4, 2021
» Amherst Town Council asked to oppose Springfield wood-burning plant
By SCOTT MERZBACH, gazettenet.com
February 2, 2021
» Why CEE’s rural communities need an alternative to burning wood for fuel
By Craig Turp-Balazs, Emerging Europe
February 1, 2021
» Baker is wrong to subsidize wood burning
4 scientists say using wood to generate electricity will worsen climate change
By William Moomaw, John Sterman, Juliette Rooney-Varga and Richard Birdsey, CommonWealth Magazine
January 4, 2021
» Massachusetts lawmakers deal blow to Springfield biomass project
By Jim Kinney, MassLive
January 4, 2021
» Senators Markey And Warren Call For Pause On Springfield, Massachusetts, Biomass Plant
By Karen Brown, NEPM
December 24, 2020
» Letter from Attorney General Maura Healey to Senate Chair Barrett and House Chair Golden
By Attorney General Maura Healey
December 23, 2020
» Biomass plant will create a ‘sacrifice zone’ in Springfield (Guest viewpoint)
By Marty Nathan, MassLive
December 23, 2020
Marty Nathan MD is a retired family practitioner who worked at Brightwood Health Center. She is a member of Springfield Climate Justice Coalition. She thanks Partnership for Policy Integrity for informational support.
» Mass. Has Strong Rules About Burning Wood For Electricity. In 2021, It Plans To Roll Them Back
By Miriam Wasser, WBUR
December 22, 2020
» Springfield City Council passes resolution opposing millions in state subsidies for biomass incineration
By Ariana Tourangeau, WWLP, Channel 22
December 22, 2020
» Drax Wood Pellets Have Devastating Impact On Baltic Forests, Report Shows
By Caitlin Tilley, DeSmog UK
December 4, 2020
» Activists Look To Beacon Hill To Stop Biomass Power Plant Project
By Paul Tuthill, WAMC
December 2, 2020
» In the nation’s asthma capital, plans to burn wood for energy spark fury
By David Abel, Boston Globe
October 20, 2020
» City Councilors request cease and desist order for development of Palmer biomass incinerator
By Sydney Snow, Channel 22 News
October 14, 2020
» Korean solar industry makes unprecedented legal challenge to “green” credentials of biomass energy
Canadian citizen joins suit against Korean government alleging irreparable harm to forests and climate from use of British Columbia wood pellets
By Adam Eagle and Joojin Kim, Partnership for Policy Integrity
September 27, 2020
» Activists Continue 10-Year Fight Over Biomass Project
By Paul Tuthill, WAMC
September 29, 2020
» Springfield Councilor Jesse Lederman submits petition opposing favorable biomass legislation
By Peter Goonan, MassLive
September 22, 2020
» Kill the ‘zombie’: Springfield demonstration calls for end to biomass proposal after decade-long battle
By Peter Goonan, MassLive
September 6, 2020
» MA House Climate Bill Would Promote Biomass Incinerators as “Non-Carbon Emitting Sources”
By Partnership for Policy Integrity
September 3, 2020
» Are forests the new coal? Global alarm sounds as biomass burning surges
By Justin Catanoso, Mongabay
August 31, 2020
» Japan eyes “energy forests” for woody biomass power generation
By KYODO NEWS
August 19, 2020
» Springfield City Hall opposes biomass incinerator part of state climate bill
By Sy Becker, WWLP Channel 22
August 13, 2020
» Springfield councilors question permit status of long-delayed biomass project
By Peter Goonan, MassLive
July 31, 2020
» Burning down the house? Enviva’s giant U.S. wood pellet plants gear up
By Saul Elbein, Mongabay
July 29, 2020
» The Dutch have decided: Burning biomass is not sustainable
The Netherlands should phase out the use of biomass for generating electricity as soon as possible, the advisory board of the Dutch government said in a report presented earlier this month.
By Davine Janssen’ EURACTIV.com
July 21, 2020
» House Climate Crisis Action Plan Gets a Lot Right on Biomass
By Sasha Stashwick, National Resources Defense Council – blog post
July 9, 2020
» The Wood Pellet Business is Booming. Scientists Say That’s Not Good for the Climate.
Trump’s EPA is expected to propose a new rule declaring burning biomass to be carbon neutral, as industry looks to expand its domestic markets.
By James Bruggers, InsideClimate News
July 13, 2020
» British Columbia poised to lose ‘white rhino of old growth forests’
By Justin Catanoso, Mongabay
June 22, 2020
» Scientists warn U.S. Congress against declaring biomass burning carbon neutral
By Justin Catanoso, Mongabay.com
May 13, 2020
» Is There Enough Wood in the World to Meet the Sustainability Demand?
By Deutsche Welle, EcoWatch
May 4, 2020
» Trees harvested for biomass energy under scrutiny
Environmental groups say wood pellet makers now using live, whole trees
By Nelson Bennett, BIV
April 26, 2020
» Virginia and North Carolina Show Biomass the Exits
By Sami Yassa, Natural Resources Defense Council / Expert Blog
April 26, 2020
» SLOW BURN (Part 3): World’s largest wood pellet maker both welcomed and condemned in NC
By Richard Stradling, The News & Observer
January 03, 2020
» SLOW BURN (Part 2): From Poland to NC, activists plea for reduced carbon dioxide
By Justin Catanoso, The News & Observer
January 03, 2020
» SLOW BURN: Europe uses tons of NC trees as fuel. Will this solve climate change?
By Saul Elbein, The News & Observer
January 03, 2020
» Scientists fired by Trump warn particle pollution standards don’t protect people
Group was disbanded by the EPA, but continued its work anyway, as Trump agencies roll back environment and health protections
By Emily Holden, The Guardian
October 22, 2019
» Potential Grows for Biomass Energy
By ERICA GIES, New York Times
October 20, 2009
» Layoffs Begin At Embattled N.H. Biomass Plants After Subsidy Plans Fail
By Annie Ropeik, NHPR
October 18, 2019
» Why Keeping Mature Forests Intact Is Key to the Climate Fight
Preserving mature forests can play a vital role in removing CO2 from the atmosphere, says policy scientist William Moomaw. In an e360 interview, he talks about the importance of existing forests and why the push to cut them for fuel to generate electricity is misguided.
By Fen Montaigne, Yale Environment 360
October 15, 2019
» Is Massachusetts Opening the Door to Dirty Energy?
At the behest of the biomass industry, the Commonwealth might redefine clean energy for the state and start subsidizing pollution.
By Rohemir Ramirez, Conservation Law Foundation blog
October 11, 2019
» In a Warming World, New Thinking Imperils Vermont’s Wood-Fueled Energy Market
By Kevin McCallum, Seven Days
October 9, 2019
» At hearing on Mass. forest protection bill, it’s climate vs. industry
By Larry Parnass, The Berkshire Eagle
September 25, 2019
» Environmental groups accuse state of ‘deeply flawed’ review of biomass changes; call for more input
By Peter Goonan, Springfield Republican
August 6, 2019
» Enviro Advocates Call Out MA Gov. Baker For Promoting Dirty Fuels As Renewable Energy
Partnership for Policy Integrity
August 2, 2019
» Scientists say Dartmouth College’s biomass plan is a bad idea
By TIM CAMERATO, Valley News
July 25, 2019
» How to fight climate change? Save existing forests
Guest column by William R. Moomaw, Bob Leverett, Robert A. Jonas and Monica Jakuc Leverett, Daily Hampshire Gazette
July 24, 2019
» As I See It: Burning wood no way to fight climate change
By Nisha Swinton and Regina LaRocque , Opinion: Worcester Telegram
July 19, 2019
» Columnist Lindsay Sabadosa: Racism is not just about words
Daily Hampshire Gazzette
July 16, 2019
» Editorial: The right to live without environmental pollution
By Greenfield Recorder
6/21/2019
» New Mohawk Trail Woodlands Partnership reaches starting line
By Larry Parnass, The Berkshire Eagle
June 19, 2019
» The Local Weather Report: Not in Any Child’s Backyard
By Kimberly French, South Coast Today
June 9, 2019
» ‘Biomass Isn’t Clean Energy’: Springfield activists blast state plan at hearing
By Chris Goudreau, The Valley Advocate
June 6, 2019
» Renewable Energy Rules Changes Protested At Springfield Hearing
By Paul Tuthill, WAMC
June 6, 2019
» Springfield organizers, residents voice opposition to biomass burning
By Sydney Snow, Hayley Crombleholme, WWLP.com, Channel 22 News
June 5, 2019
» ‘Stupid and Irresponsible’: Activists speak out against burning biomass in Springfield
By Chris Goudreau, Valley Advocate
June 4, 2019
» Springfield Groups Slam ENE for Peddling Polluting Palmer Power to Eastern Mass Munis
By PFPI
May 29, 2019
» Read the joint letter from Arise for Social Justice, Springfield Climate Justice Coalition and PFPI
» State postpones Springfield hearing on changes in renewable energy regulations
By Peter Goonan, MassLive
May 28, 2019
» Activists, opponents of biomass project will bring fight to Springfield hearing on renewable energy law changes
By Peter Goonan, MassLive
May 25, 2019
» Activists, opponents of biomass project will bring fight to Springfield hearing on renewable energy law changes
By Peter Goonan, MassLive
May 25, 2019
» Get ready for another biomass battle
Baker administration rules betray forests, climate, science
By Mary S. Booth, CommonWealth Magazine
May 14, 2019
» Save coal plant and prevent forest fires? APS assesses biomass conversion at Arizona unit
By Iulia Gheorghiu, Utility Dive
April 4, 2019
» Environmental groups oppose state’s biomass incentives
By GRETA JOCHEM, Daily Hampshire Gazette
March 21, 2019
» Groups ask Baker to back off wood-burning initiatives
By Larry Parnass, The Berkshire Eagle
March 20, 2019
» Blame wood-burning stoves for winter air pollution and health threats
By Michael D. Mehta, Professor, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Thompson Rivers University, The Conversation
March 7, 2019
Michael D. Mehta is affiliated with the Gabriola Island Clean Air Society and Doctors and Scientists Against Wood Smoke Pollution.
» Europe’s renewable energy policy is built on burning American trees
Biomass energy is inadvertently making the climate crisis worse.
By Saul Elbein, Vox.com
March 4, 2019
» State kickstarts Western Massachusetts wood chip industry with renewable thermal energy grants
By Mary C. Serreze, Mass Live
February 11, 2019
» Baker-Polito Administration Announces $2.8 Million in Matching Funding for Renewable Heating Infrastructure
Projects to Increase Availability of Renewable Heating Fuels
Press Release
February 11, 2019
» City Council Questions Status Of Permits For Power Plant Project
By Paul Tuthill, WAMC radio
October 19, 2018
» Springfield City Council seeks answers, options after plans announced for biomass plant construction
By Peter Goonan, MassLive
October 4, 2018
» Scientists say halting deforestation ‘just as urgent’ as reducing emissions
By Oliver Milman, The Guardian
October 4, 2018
» Plant to power Ashfield lumber biz draws ire
By Richie Davis, Daily Hampshire Gazette
June 24, 2018
» BURNED: Are Trees the New Coal?
BURNED tells the little-known story of the accelerating destruction of our forests for fuel
Documentary By Marlboro Productions
2017
» Massachusetts Issues Guidelines For Woody Biomass To Qualify For Alternative Energy Incentives
By Paul Tuthill, WAMC radio
December 27, 2017
» Push to Burn Wood for Fuel Threatens Climate Goals, Scientists Warn
Scientists say a new EU renewable energy policy on biomass is ‘misleading’ and will raise emissions. U.S. forests are being turned into wood pellets to feed demand.
By Bob Berwyn, InsideClimate News
June 24, 2018
» New Study: Biomass Energy Has Big Climate Impact Even Under Best Case Scenario
Partnership For Public Integrity (PFPI)
February 21, 2018
» The 100 Most Polluting Biomass Energy Facilities in Pennsylvania – Map, Database, and Report
Partnership For Public Integrity (PFPI)
October 21, 2014
» Federal Trade Commission Bioenergy Report
Partnership For Public Integrity (PFPI)
July 28, 2014
» Trees, Trash, and Toxics: How Biomass Energy Has Become the New Coal
Partnership For Public Integrity (PFPI)
April 2, 2014
» Securities and Exchange Comm. Bioenergy Report
Partnership For Public Integrity (PFPI)
November 20, 2013
» Who is Palmer Renewable Energy?
By Maureen Turner, Valley Advocate
Dec 31, 2009