Environmentalists are objecting to the Baker administration’s efforts in Massachusetts to promote the use of forest products as fuel for heat and energy.
In a letter to Gov. Charlie Baker signed by about 30 representatives of environmental groups and scientists, the activists complain about the recent awarding of state grants, totaling almost $3 million, to companies involved in producing wood chips to burn in boilers and stoves.
One of the activists, Laura Haight of the Pelham, Massachusetts-based Partnership for Policy Integrity said the Baker administration's policy is at odds with climate science.
" It appears that the Baker administration is really very aggressively pushing wood-burning," said Haight.
A spokeswoman for the Baker administration said the letter would be reviewed.
Legislation has been filed that would make woody biomass and garbage incineration ineligible for state renewable energy subsidies.