New Massachusetts Biomass Regulations Draw Praise From Environmental Advocates

Nation-leading Policies Follow Science on Carbon Accounting; Set High Bar for Biomass Energy Facilities to Qualify for Renewable Energy Incentives

CONTACT:
Karen Wood, CLF, (617) 850-1722 or kwood@clf.org
James McCaffrey, Sierra Club, (617) 903-8440 or james.mccaffrey@sierraclub.org
Meg Sheehan, Biomass Accountability Project, (508) 259-9154 or meg@ecolaw.biz
Mary Booth, PFPI, (917) 885-2573, or mbooth@pfpi.net

BOSTON, MA  April 27, 2012 – Leading local, regional and national environmental organizations and activists reacted positively to new biomass regulations released today by the Patrick Administration, calling the new Massachusetts rules nation-leading and a win for science-based policy.

Conservation Law Foundation (CLF), the Biomass Accountability Project, the Partnership for Policy Integrity, and the Sierra Club applauded the Patrick Administration for developing a policy that sets a high bar for biomass-burning facilities to qualify for renewable energy certificates (RECs) under the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). RECs are a ratepayer-funded financial mechanism designed to promote renewable energy. A preliminary review reveals that under the new rules, facilities that are particularly inefficient no longer will qualify for RECs. This means that traditional large, inefficient biomass power plants no longer will be rewarded with ratepayer incentives.

The groups called the new rules consistent with the state’s mandate to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and applauded the policy’s incorporation of science-based carbon accounting principles in determining eligibility for RECs. The new rules require that biomass plants rely predominantly on “residues” rather than whole trees to demonstrate emissions reductions of at least 50 percent over 20 years as compared to natural gas. The groups said the rules were consistent with the findings of a 2010 state-commissioned study by the Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences, which cautioned that different biomass fuels have different impacts and need to be accounted for accordingly.

The groups also applauded the regulations’ requirement that fuels be sustainably harvested in order to protect forests’ critical role in absorbing carbon from the atmosphere, as well as to protect important ecosystems. One key element of the new requirements is that a portion of tops and limbs from harvested trees must be retained in the forests to replenish soil nutrients, provide habitat, and promote forest resilience.

Sue Reid, VP and Director, CLF Massachusetts, said, “These regulations are truly ground-breaking. The old rules seriously risked unraveling the state’s ambitious targets on climate by promoting projects that put more carbon pollution into the air. Recognizing those risks, the Patrick Administration has developed nation-leading rules that embrace the core principles of sound biomass policy: the new rules will promote far more efficient use of biomass fuel, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and protection of critical forest resources. We applaud the Administration for driving this science-based policy forward and hope it will become a model for other New England states, as well as the rest of the country.”

“These new regulations are proof that grassroots activism works,” said Meg Sheehan, who led the 2012 effort by the Stop Spewing Carbon Campaign to get a question on the state-wide ballot on this issue. “The Patrick Administration listened to our call for science-based regulations that avoid wasting ratepayer dollars on facilities that threaten our forests and undermine our clean energy goals. We commend the Governor for that.” Sheehan continued, “The new regulations will help ensure that polluting, inefficient large-scale wood burning biomass incinerators don’t get undeserved subsidies.”

Mary Booth, Director of the Partnership for Policy Integrity, stated, “Here, we’re seeing concrete evidence of policy catching up with science. Burning biomass for energy emits more CO2 than fossil fuels, but these new regulations will promote higher-efficiency facilities with lower net CO2 emissions. By commissioning the Manomet Study on the greenhouse gas impacts of biomass, and then drafting regulations based on Manomet, the Patrick Administration exemplifies how rational policy-making should work.”

James McCaffrey, Director of the Massachusetts Sierra Club, said, “Massachusetts is a leader nationwide on renewables and energy efficiency, and is now the first in the nation to update its biomass energy incentive programs so they are truly green and aligned with the latest science. These new regulations will create jobs by driving innovation in the renewable energy sector while curbing CO2 emissions, raising efficiency standards, and preserving our finite forest resources.”

CLF, the Biomass Accountability Project, Partnership for Policy Integrity and MA Sierra Club are among the leading voices from the environmental, clean energy and grassroots activist communities who worked together to press for this favorable policy outcome. Mass Audubon, Natural Resources Defense Council, Environmental League of Massachusetts, Tim Searchinger of Princeton University and Bill Moomaw of Tufts and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change are but a few of the dozens of individuals and organizations who lent instrumental input to the policy-making process.

The Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) protects New England’s environment for the benefit of all people. Using the law, science and the market, CLF creates solutions that preserve natural resources, build healthy communities, and sustain a vibrant economy region-wide. Founded in 1966, CLF is a non-profit, member-supported organization with offices in New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

The Biomass Accountability Project (BAP) is a national grassroots organization dedicated to research, education, and outreach about the fiscal, health and climate impacts of biomass combustion. Stop Spewing Carbon Campaign, an affiliate of BAP, is a Massachusetts-based citizen effort, responsible for the 2010 voter ballot initiative that would have reduced subsidies for biomass incinerators.

The Partnership for Policy Integrity is a science-based advocacy organization that provides scientific and legal analysis to local, state and national groups on impacts from “false energy solutions” such as biomass power plants that rely on forest harvesting for fuel. 

The Sierra Club is the nation’s largest grassroots non-profit environmental organization with 20,000 members in Massachusetts and more than 1 million members and supporters nationwide dedicated to the preservation, protection, and exploration of the earth’s natural environment.

 

# # #