We strongly oppose the proposed inefficient and costly changes to biomass qualification

The undersigned entities, which represent more than 70 organizations and businesses and tens of thousands of Massachusetts residents, oppose changes to the RPS that would expand incentives for biomass energy, undoing climate protections and putting forests and public health at risk. [...] However, despite concerns raised by hundreds of groups and thousands of individual citizens during and following the initial public comment period in 2019, DOER is still proposing to reduce or completely eliminate core requirements of the 2012 RPS biomass rules — the first in the nation and the world to recognize that burning wood for energy increases greenhouse gas emissions. [...] The changes will make it harder, rather than easier, for Massachusetts to reduce emissions, contradicting the intent of the Global Warming Solutions Act and the new climate legislation signed by Governor Baker this spring. [...] This provision is supported by findings cited in the MassDEP letter revoking the permit for the proposed Palmer Renewable Energy biomass plant in Springfield, which references more recent information about the health impacts from exposure to fine particulate matter emissions and other air pollution from power plants, including exacerbating mortality and long-term health impacts of COVID-19. [...] 2 In sum, we urge DOER to preserve and strengthen the new provision protecting environmental justice populations, and to withdraw all other proposed changes to the RPS biomass regulations.