October 15, 2009- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press contact:  Margaret E. Sheehan, Esq., email, 508-259-9154

Massachusetts Ballot Initiative to Reduce Air Pollution from Biomass Burning

A citizen-led network announced this week a statewide campaign to place on the 2010 ballot a question to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in Massachusetts.  

The ballot question will limit carbon dioxide emissions from biomass and waste to energy incinerators to 250 pounds per megawatt hour. Currently, these incinerators produce more carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) than coal burning plants, yet they receive taxpayer and ratepayer subsidies intended for clean energy. The ballot question will help ensure that public funds are used for jobs and investments in energy conservation, efficiency,  solar and properly sited wind and geothermal energy rather than for biomass burning incinerators.

By the year 2020, biomass burning in the U.S. threatens to emit at least 10% of the nation’s total CO2 emissions. “Carbon dioxide is the most prevalent greenhouse gas,” said attorney Margaret Sheehan of EcoLaw, the campaign chair. “Massachusetts can lead the fight against global warming by curbing the carbon dioxide from these incinerators,” Sheehan said.

“Biomass incinerators can burn whole trees from our forests, trash, construction debris and worse. These incinerators are neither clean nor green. In addition to tons of carbon dioxide, they emit the most toxic chemicals known to science – dioxin, lead, arsenic, and particulate matter that cause asthma, respiratory failure and heart disease.  At a time when our nation is agonizing over health care, we should not be subsidizing incinerators that cause serious health problems and drive up our medical costs. The biomass burning law increases greenhouse gases when we should be reducing them. The law should be changed," Sheehan added.

“It’s a very exciting campaign,” said Ms. Sheehan. “We welcome anyone who wants to get involved.” Visit www.stopspewingcarbon.com, where you can download and sign the petition or call 1-800-729-1363.