In December 2020, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) issued proposed amendments to the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) that would allow polluting wood-burning biomass power plants, like Palmer Renewable Energy's proposed 42-MWh Springfield plant, to qualify for the same state renewable energy credits as wind and solar power.

 

On April 16th, 2021, following a massive grassroots campaign by the Springfield Climate Justice Coalition and our allies across the state, DOER proposed additional rule changes that would prohibit any biomass power plant located in, or within five miles of, an environmental justice community from qualifying for the Massachusetts RPS.

 

If adopted, these rule changes will ensure that the Palmer Renewable Energy biomass plant proposed in East Springfield will not be able to qualify for millions in renewable energy subsidies in Massachusetts. This will also set a historic precedent for protecting other BIPOC communities that have been disproportionately targeted as sites for toxic and polluting facilities.

 

We strongly support including these protections for environmental justice communities in the RPS regulations; but oppose other changes being advanced by the Baker Administration that would roll back Massachusetts’ science-based standards for biomass eligibility and  allow polluting biomass power plants throughout the Northeast to once again qualify for rate-payer funded renewable energy credits in Massachusetts.

 

No matter where they are sited, biomass power plants pump out health-harming air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. We all lose if our clean energy dollars are used to support false climate solutions like biomass energy.  

 

Let’s build on our historic climate justice win in Springfield and keep biomass out of the RPS! Tell MA DOER that we don’t want to subsidize dirty biomass power plants anywhere.

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