Opponents Present Biomass Health Hazards

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By Matthew Campbell

Story Published: Nov 18, 2009 at 11:53 PM EDT

Story Updated: Nov 18, 2009 at 11:53 PM EDT

It's close to passing, but just weeks before a final vote on a Springfield biomass plant, one group is presenting the health hazards.

Arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury are just some of the chemicals that will be emitted into the air at close range, if a Page Blvd. biomass plant is passed, says one woodburning opponent.

However, as residents pack the Pine Point Community Center, Wednesday night, they're learning, the plant is almost there.

One more permit and Palmer Paving will have a green light to burn. But unlike Russell and Greenfield's proposed plants, Springfield's will burn more than just wood.

"The construction and demolition waste, they say they'll burn 700 tons of it a day," says Megan Jenny, a spokesperson for Toxic Action Center.

And according to presenters, that demolition waste is comprised of plastics, pressure treated wood, painted wood, composite plywood sealed with glue.

"It's atrocious what this plant will do with the amount of lead and arsenic that will be going through the air," says councilor-elect John Lysak.

Palmer Renewable Energy is looking to build the Page Blvd plant. They say it could bring millions to the city. All emissions meet current EPA standards, but some doctors and activists say it's not good enough.

"This seems like an easy fix, but it comes at a serious price and it comes at the price of the residents of Springfield," Jenny says.

A hearing and possible vote on the final permit will come on December 2nd at the Kennedy Middle School. The hearing is scheduled at 6pm.

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Tim Moxley said on Wednesday, Jan 20 at 7:44 PM

Waste incinerators are just another bad idea intended to shore up the dying timber industry. Their production methods are out dated and without free trees the business model will fail.Solar,wind and conservation can do better and less expensively what coal,nuclear or waste burners can never do and that is provide communities with affordable energy without poisoning the air we need to live. "If the earth dies, we die if we die the earth lives." Katu K. Reeves-The Day the Earth Stood Still.

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