By Paul Tuthill
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-975419.mp3
Cambridge, MA – A Massachusetts based environmental organization is calling for an end to government subsidies for biomass power. The biomass power industry says it is already being shortchanged when it comes to taxpayer and ratepayer support for alternative energy WAMC"s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports.
A report from the Cambridge Massachusetts based Biomass Accountability Project argues that wood burning power plants should not qualify for federal tax credits and loan guarantees under programs intended to promote renewable energy. The report contends biomass plants produce more green house gases than coal and contribute to air pollution that causes respiratory and other diseases.
Meg Sheehan of the Biomass Accountability Project notes the US Senate voted recently to repeal enthanol tax credits and she says the case for ending biomass subsidies is more compelling.
The biomass opponents held a media conference call Tuesday to release the report,which details various federal grants, tax credits and loan guarantees that have gone to biomass power projects. The report claims ending government support for wood burning power production would save taxpayers ten billion dollars over the next decade.
The president of the Biomass Power Association, Robert Cleaves disputed the report. He said biomass power has received just two percent of the six billion dollars the federal stimulus program committed to renewable energy.
In Massachusetts the administration of Governor Deval Patrick recently proposed higher efficiency standards for power plants to qualify for renewable energy credits. State Senator Mark Pacheco, author of the state's Global Warming Solutions Act, says subsidizing large scale wood burning power plants won't help the state reduce its carbon footprint 25 percent by 2020 as the law requires..
A 35 megawatt biomass power plant proposed in Springfield would qualify for 46 million dollars in federal tax credits. Lee Ann Warner has been battling the project for two years as a member of the group Stop Toxic Incineration in Springfield.
The Springfield City Council voted in May to revoke a special permit to build the wood burning power plant. The developer, Palmer Renewable Energy recently filed a suit against the city in state Land Court. Frank Fitzgerald, the attorney for the developer, says the suit does not seek monetary damages.
Springfield City Solicitor Ed Pikula said he would review the suit thoroughly and file a response to defend the city council's vote.