Markey supports effort to prevent bio-mass plant

Feb. 23, 2021 | G. Michael Dobbs
mdobbs@thereminder.com

Sen. Edward Markey came to Springfield to discuss the proposed biomass plant and its impacts on health. He is seen here with City Councilor Jesse Lederman and state Sen. Eric Lesser.
Reminder Publishing photo by G. Michael Dobbs

SPRINGFIELD – The ongoing issue of whether or not a bio-mass plant should exist in Springfield near the Chicopee border received renewed attention last week with Sen. Edward Markey coming to Springfield to announce his support for efforts to prevent its opening.

City Councilor Jesse Lederman, who has long advocated against the plant proposed by Palmer Paving at its Page Boulevard property, reached out to Markey who was here in the region visiting the Holyoke Soldiers Home on Feb. 18.

Lederman, accompanied by fellow colleagues on the City Council including Tim Allen and Michael Fenton, was joined by state Sens. Adam Gomez and Eric Lesser as well as neighborhood residents and members of The Springfield Climate Justice Coalition (SCJC).

Although the biomass plant has been described in the past as a way of generating energy through a renewable fuel – wood – Markey said, “The reality of biomass contributes to the increase of greenhouse gases.”

He added, “Two years ago, [Rep.] Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and I introduced the Green New Deal. We spent a lot of time talking about environmental justice … the point is environmental justice is a part of any actions in the United States to fight climate change.”

Markey noted the seriousness of the climate change facing the planet and said, “There are no emergency rooms for planets.”

Lederman explained to Reminder Publishing members of the City Council have been trying to receive an answer from the city’s Building Commissioner about the status of a building permit for the plant. Lederman noted the permit was issued years ago and since there has been no building activity believes the permit may have expired. To the date of the senator’s appearance no answer has been forthcoming, he added.

Markey’s presence had been preceded by a protest by the SCJC at the state office building on Dwight Street on Feb. 17 announcing a letter has been sent to Gov. Charlie Baker urging him to “withdraw a proposed rule change that would allow highly polluting biomass energy plants to qualify for clean energy subsidies, despite the fact that they emit more CO2 than fossil fuels,” according to a press release.

The Baker Administration, according to a State House News report, is in negotiations with members of the Legislature about a climate change bill that has been filed and approved after Baker has vetoed it.

A group of about a dozen people gathered on the sidewalk with banners and an oversized model of an inhaler to draw attention to the point of the high asthma rates in the city and region.

The group is calling for not just a rule change concerning biomass, but also for Baker and Department of Energy Resource Commissioner Patrick Woodcock to come to Springfield and meet with people about the plant.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, in a statement released in 2019, “Last year’s top Asthma Capital, Springfield, Massachusetts, is again the most challenging place in the U.S. to live with asthma.

“It ranks #1 for its high asthma prevalence and high number of asthma-related emergency room visits. The area has the highest number of asthma-related emergency room visits in the U.S., as well as a high rate of asthma prevalence overall. High pollen counts are also a big factor for Springfield’s residents with asthma.

“The prevalence of asthma rates among adults with asthma is higher in Massachusetts than anywhere else in the U.S.,” said Jan Hanson. “Forty-one percent of Massachusetts children in school or daycare with asthma have missed at least one day of school in the past year. Uncontrolled asthma symptoms interfere with active, healthy lives. AAFA New England is committed to making sure the facts about asthma are known, that the impact of asthma is understood, and that we provide the programming and resources necessary for individuals and families to better manage this chronic health condition, so that asthma outcomes and quality of life are greatly improved.” 

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