SPRINGFIELD – A long and contenious fight between enviromental advocates and the developers of a Springfield-based biomass plant may be over.

Local and state elected officials praised the decision made by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) on April 2 to revoke the air permit that would have allowed the proposed biomass plant in Springfield to stay viable.

The proposed plant would have burnt scrap wood to generate electricity. When first proposed, the plan was to burn construction and demolition wood waste, but that was changed.

The biomass plant was first proposed in 2008. MassDEP had originally issued the air permit in 2012. Opponents noted the increased emissions would decrease air quality in a region with high asthma rates already.

In the letter from MassDEP head Michael Gorski it was noted that Palmer Renewable Energy had to commence construction no later than March 6, 2019.

According to information released by the Springfield Climate Justice Coalition, “Though Palmer said it had started construction, DEP inspected the site in February and found that it had not, leading to the revocation of the permit.”

In his letter Gorski said, “MassDEP has determined to exercise this authority due to the amount of time that has elapsed since issuance of the PRE Final Plan Approval, more recent health-related information, and the heightened focus on environmental and health impacts on environmental justice populations from sources of pollution during the intervening years.”

Palmer Renewable Energy does have the right to appeal the decisions, though. State law notes, “Notice of Right to an Adjudicatory Hearing – This letter shall constitute an Order revoking the Final Plan Approval. You may request an adjudicatory hearing on this revocation of the PRE Final Plan Approval within ten days of the date of issuance of this decision by filing a notice of claim in accordance with 310 CMR 7.51 and 310 CMR 1.01.”

Springfield City Councilor Jesse Lederman, chairman of the City Council Committee on Sustainability and Environment, has long made an issue of the environmental impact of the proposed plant. In a written statement he said, “Today’s announcement that the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has revoked the air permit for a proposed biomass incinerator in Springfield is welcome news in the city of Springfield.

“For too long communities like ours have been targeted by out of town developers seeking to get rich at the expense of the public health and environment of our children, seniors, and all residents, leading to generations of concentrated pollution and health and environmental inequities.

“The decision by MassDEP makes it clear what I have long said: the days of polluters being rubber stamped in communities like ours are over.

“The decision is also clearly in line with the issues raised by the Springfield

City Council in our recent filing with the Zoning Board of Appeals.

“I am thankful to Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren for their assistance and advocacy in standing up for our community here in Springfield, and the collective efforts of my colleagues on the City Council and residents across the city of Springfield. We will continue to ensure that all our local, state, and federal laws and regulations are applied fairly and in proper protection of our community.

“I am elated to hear that the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has revoked the Final Plan Approval for Palmer Renewable Energy.  I, along with many of my colleagues in government and community members have been fighting to protect our community from this project for over a decade.  This is great news for the city of Springfield.

State Sen. Eric Lesser said, “Today’s decision by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to revoke the permit for the proposed biomass facility in Springfield is welcome news and comes as a relief to thousands of nearby residents who would have been forced to live in the shadow of a billowing smokestack. Frankly, the revocation is long overdue and the plant should never have been considered for that location in the first place. The idea of citing a biomass facility in the asthma capital of the United States lacked common sense or regard for equity, and I am relieved that MassDEP issued its decision to revoke the permit. This is a major victory for our region and everyone who has stood against this project.

State Sen. Adam Gomez said, “Today the state’s Department of Environmental Protection has informed Palmer Renewable Energy that their air permit has been revoked! Receiving this news feels like the final chapter of a 12-year fight. The amount of people there is to thank is endless and far-reaching. Thank you to the Department of Environmental Protection for listening to the people, for recognizing the severe impacts that Palmer Renewable Energy would have on nearby environmental justice communities, especially those that are already struggling with some of the highest asthma rates in the country. My heartfelt thanks also goes out to, in no particular order: Springfield City Council, Sen. Eric Lesser for his partnership on our biomass legislation, U.S. Se.Ed Markey federal partners, members of the state delegation, and most importantly the tireless local advocates who have dedicated countless hours over the past 12 years fighting this on the ground. To Palmer Renewable Energy – stay out and don’t come back. If you appeal, we’ll keep fighting you.”