Biomass pits neighbor against tradesmen

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. WWLP - Passion is running high on both sides of the biomass issue in Springfield. Neighbors insist the proposed wood-burning power plant will pollute the city's already tainted air. Supporters say it'll burn clean and create jobs.

Hundreds of people filled Springfield's Duggan Middle School Auditorium Tuesday night, as decision-day draws near for the D-E-P to issue a final Air Quality Permit for a proposed wood-burning "biomass" power plant on Page Boulevard.

"Biomass is intended to sound nice, like clean green energy. But it's simply burning wood. That's what we used to call it," said Springfield city councilor Tim Allen.

Opponents claim tons of waste will end up in the air we breathe every year. The developer insists the smoke will be cleaned by cutting edge, state of the art technology.

Palmer Renewable Energy President & CEO David Callahan said, "Our facility is the cleanest renewable facility ever proposed in Massachusetts. It will meet or exceed even the most rigorous state, federal, current or even future air quality standards."

But Conservation Law Foundation Attorney Sue Reid called the project dirty; "The Massachusetts Constitution creates a constitutional right for the people of Massachusetts to have clean air. We're not protecting that right now. And this project is an affront to that right."

Hundreds of tradesmen attended the speak-out, hoping for the creation of 200 construction jobs. Daniel D'Alma, Pioneer Valley Building Trades President told 22News, "We've got about 34% unemployment. These are good-paying jobs. Good construction jobs. Then there's going to be good permanent jobs. 50- to 75 permanent jobs."

Jesse Lederman, of the Springfield Neighborhood Council was sympathetic to the employment issue... to a point; "We understand the need for jobs in Springfield. But jobs at the risk of public health of residents is unacceptable. It's not the type of jobs we need."

The State Department of Public Health ordered this hearing as part of a 30-day public comment period on Palmer Renewable Energy's conditional approval of its plan application. Mass D-E-P may make a final decision later this month.