"Clean" Energy Future?
Tom Sturm's Jan. 15 article "Follow the Green Brick Road" misses the truth of the "clean energy future" being planned for us. The real plan is that most (at least 80 percent) of the new "clean" megawatts [from power plants] slated to be built in the Pioneer Valley would actually come from burning chemically contaminated fuels in vulnerable neighborhoods.
The Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives calls these "biomass" power plants "incinerators in disguise" and many environmental organizations warn of irreversible damage to forests, agricultural soil, water resources and air quality, as well as toxic depositions on our lands and accelerated climate change. The Global Justice Ecology Project reminds us that we cannot replenish the soil if we have burned the plant material, pointing out, "peak oil is nothing compared to the coming peak soil."
Massachusetts Forest Watch warns that these facilities also intend to rely heavily on free or cheap wood from our state forests and parks, including whole trees. The American Lung Association of New England opposes the biomass plant proposed for Russell because of dangerous pre-existing air pollution and asthma rates in the region.
Worse still, you and I are footing the bill. The state is subsidizing these incinerators with our clean energy funds, including buying detailed studies of how to "extract" the maximum amount of biomass fuel "stored" in our public lands, and commissioning state employees to daily strategize about how to get us to buy this tripe. At one time the Valley Advocate awarded a Horn to Russell Biomass for their plan to further pollute the air in this region. I keep thinking that the residents of the Valley are smarter than this and will not allow their asthmatic children to be further sickened by the building of new incinerators—am I wrong?
Jana Chicoine
Spokesperson, Concerned Citizens of Russell
More Rail Now!
Just a quick thank you for bringing up rail transportation ["Between the Lines," Jan. 1, 2009].? With all the talk about the stimulus package going to infrastructure, there's been precious little, if any, mention of railroad travel, either personal or freight.? Why aren't we looking at the best way to reduce truck and car traffic?? Yes, high-speed rail should be at the top of the list.
Rita Jaros
Shelburne Falls
