Joint Statement in Response to MA DEP Commissioner Kimmell’s Decision Re: Appeals of Palmer Renewable Energy Power Plant Air Permit in Springfield, MA

Decision Clears Path For Petitioners To Pursue Air Permit Challenges On The Merits

CONTACT:
Karen Wood, CLF: (617) 850-1722

BOSTON AND SPRINGFIELD, MA December 7, 2011 – Conservation Law Foundation (CLF), Arise for Social Justice (Arise), and Toxics Action Center (TAC) today issued the following joint statement in response to MA DEP Commissioner Kimmell’s decision to clear the path for petitioners to pursue the air permit appeal on the merits of the case regarding Palmer Renewable Energy’s proposed biomass-fueled Power Plant in Springfield, MA.

“Yesterday’s decision by Massachusetts DEP Commissioner Kimmell sets aside last week’s flawed recommended decision that would have prevented affected members of the public from pursuing administrative appeals of the Palmer Renewable Energy (PRE) air permit. In doing so, the Commissioner cleared the path for the Petitioners – CLF, Arise, TAC and sixteen residents – to pursue their appeals on the merits of the case. We are pleased that the Commissioner did the right thing and we look forward to using this opportunity to show why the PRE air permit must not be granted, based on evidence demonstrating that the Power Plant’s air emissions would further harm the health of residents already suffering from a disproportionate share of air pollution.”

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