American Lung Association Applauds Regulation Changes for Biomass Energy
Statement by Donna M. Hawk, Board Chair, American Lung Association in Massachusetts
Waltham, MA (July 8, 2010)—
The American Lung Association in Massachusetts applauds Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles for directing changes to the regulation of biomass energy plants. New regulations calling for increased efficiency and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions will help ensure that new sources of energy will not only be renewable, but clean.
We are pleased to see the Patrick Administration better aligning incentives for renewable energy to avoid the threat of additional chemical and particle emissions into the Commonwealth’s already polluted air. However, there are three remaining public health concerns that must be addressed:
- Regulations under the Department of Environmental Protection must ensure that all biomass combustion facilities be required to install Best Available Control Technology to achieve the lowest emission levels possible,
- All biomass energy plants must be continuously monitored to guarantee that permitted allowable emission levels and state and federal standards are met,
- And all construction and demolition debris combustion should be banned. Making this fuel source ineligible for Renewable Energy Credits is an important step in the right direction, but a comprehensive, statewide ban is needed to protect public health.
We thank Secretary Bowles for improved regulations and call on the Patrick Administration to continue looking at not only the environmental impacts of biomass combustion plants and all energy sources, but the public health impacts as well. The American Lung Association in Massachusetts will continue to participate in this process and advocate that energy and environmental policies must adequately protect the health of all Massachusetts residents.
