Plant could affect region's air quality

By Erin O'Connor

Staff Writer

RUSSELL Members of the Concerned Citizens of Russell(CCR), the Toxic Action Center(TAC), the American Lung Association(ALA), two local meteorologists and city representatives announced on Aug. 16 to media outlets the formation of a regional coalition, the Pioneer Valley Preservation Coalition(PVPC). It also includes 25 local businesses and organizations and 300 citizens.

"The Coalition's purpose is," Jana Chicoine of the CCR, said, "protecting the health and quality of life of local citizens by opposing the construction of a massive biomass power plant in Russell on the old Westfield Paper Co. site."

If the Russell Biomass plant is built, it would be one of the largest wood-burning facilities in the region generating electricity for public use. An equally large plant in Portsmouth, N.H. will go online this September. Only one existing plant, in Maine, rivals it in size, said sources.

"I believe this would have a negative economic impact on fisheries, pollutants in the environment on the wetlands and the river basin. It may bring revenue into the town but for many it will cost the quality of life and I bet these costs can well eclipse any benefit that its reported to have," Nick Weidhaas, Russell resident and former director of a forest and wood product industry said to Reminder Publications last week.

Plans for the Biomass Plant began three years ago when developer Bill Hull initiated the process of filing with the Russell Board of Selectmen and the Town Zoning Board to gain permits necessary for the construction of the plant.

"The plant is safe," Hullsaid in response to protesters. "This is about the 'not in my backyard' idea." Controversy erupted as Hull is accused by the Coalition of inserting into his filings with the Massachusetts Environmental Protection Agency(MEPA) additional materials that would allow him to burn construction waste products and not just the virgin wood that was originally granted permission through the Russell Board of Selectmen and the Town Zoning board.

"Other materials for burning were introduced after Hull signed an agreement that he would not burn any product other than virgin wood," said John P. Chicoine, president of the CCR.

Hull denies responsibility in this aspect of the plant.

"When the special permit was issued it came with 29 conditions. We [his company] participated in the hearings. We did not participate in the writing of the permit. That was the town," he said.

According to the Coalition they are opposing the plant based on concerns with air quality, respiratory problems, pollution, deceptions of the developer, endangerment of children and residents, increased traffic and the overall health of the community.

"We support Biomass but not this Biomass," said Sylvia Broude, of the Toxics Action Center an environmental and public health nonprofit organization that works with citizens in the New England area.

"We think they should be far away from residential areas. It is a poorly sited plant. It should not be so close to residential areas: 600 feet from the closest residence and 1600 feet from the Russell Elementary School. Other plants are directly near the fuel source in the middle of the forest and not tucked in areas with pre-existing air quality problems."

"I have never seen anything from the state in regards to this [plant] being negative in anyway," Fred Wojick selectman for Russell said.

The Union of Concerned Scientists list that the high Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) rate, an effect of the high nitrogen content of many biomass fuels, is one of the top air quality concerns associated with biomass.

A letter from chief executive officer of the American Lung Association, Jeffrey E. Seyler was read he stated,

"The American Lung Association of Massachusetts has serious concerns about the proposed Biomass Power Plant in Russell, Mass. because of the significant impact of this project on air quality. The health of area residents and those in surrounding communities could be adversely affected by thousands of pounds of air pollutants emitted into the air daily, including nitrogen oxide or NOx. NOx is a key component of ground level ozone, or smog, and is a lung irritant. In the ALA's 2005 'State of the Air' report, Hampden and Hampshire counties both received a grade of 'F' for both ozone and particle pollution. The health effects of ozone and particle pollution include wheezing, shortness of breath, increased risk of asthma attacks, pulmonary inflammation, and premature mortality."

Members of the CCR distributed a DVD at the event that was an interview of citizens living in Vermont next to the McNeal Biomass Plant who spoke of the plant's impact on their lives.

The residents said that woodchips blew from the plant covering children and food, the plant resulted in loud noises into the night, snow was no longer white but brown and residents suffered from asthma and breathing problems.

"You can't compare our plant to theirs," said Hull, "That plant was built in the 1980's this is 20 years later. It is like comparing a computer that you bought in 1983 to the one that you are using now." "I believe the location of the biomass plant would put my family and the residents downwind at increased risk for exposure to ozone which can aggravate asthma and respiratory issues. My children and wife have asthma and I am concerned for their lung health and the health of those who live east of the proposed facility," Nick Morganelli, a meteorologist and board member of the ALA of Mass. said in a letter at the event.

"The plant will help reduce taxes and bring about $300,000 in," Wojick said.

"It would bring more tax revenue into town but we are not ready to change the quality of life in town for a dollar bill,"said Nancey Mezger."

"Our electricity in Massachusetts is growing," said Hull, "No additional plants have grown since the late 1990's demand keeps going up and the supply is stagnant...the proverbial stuff is going to hit the fan there is not enough electricity to go around."

A meeting is scheduled for September 17 at the Russell Elementary School where Hull will ask the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Energy for zoning exemptions to nullify permit restrictions that were put in place by the Russell Zoning Board.

"I have no intentions of going around the town, I am going right to the DTE which is the perfectly legal thing to do," Hull said.

"The regional coalition is critical in light of Russell Biomass' application to the Department of Telecommunications & Energy for a zoning exemption that will strip area residents of their constitutional rights of self governance," said John Chicoine.

"We will not exceed our NOx emissions limits. We all want cleaner air," Hull said.

"We see the hand writing on the wall," said John Chicoine in speaking for the Coalition.

"If the plant is built then fine, but if it is not built, then fine. I'll try to be very optimistic for both sides. If you don't like what I like then don't vote for me," Wojick said.