dioxin + mercury + particulates + SO2+ NOx + carbon monoxide + hydrochloric acid + carbon dioxide = green energy ?

Smokestack and emissions from biomass combustion power facilities include particulate matter, SO2, NOx, carbon monoxide, hydrochloric acid (HCl), volatile organic chemicals, lead, a number of hazardous air pollutants including dioxins, and metals, and greenhouse gases.

November, 23, 2011 Two charts:   1) Air Pollution from Coal vs Biomass Power (hard numbers) 1) Air Pollution from Natural Gas vs Biomass Power

June 21, 2011 UPDATE on Domtar Corporation/We Energies proposed biomass incinerator in Rothschild, Wisconsin.

Press Release: Groups challenge Domtar President Williams claim that the incinerator is “green”.

Opponents appeal air pollution permit.  Final Contested Case Petition.doc  Opponents file second lawsuit.  Circuit Court Air Appeal Final-1.pdf

Groups ask Sierra Club to withdraw support for Domtar/We Energies project.

Sierra Club May 2011-1.pdf

April 27, 2011 Comments of J. Levy, Professor, Boston University School of PUlic Health, on particulate and ozone pollution at American Lung Association State of the Air press conference.  Levy comments ALA press event 4-11.pdf

April 15, 2011 72 members of Congress yesterday urged U.S. EPA to finalize its toxic risk assessment of dioxin.  “EPA’s review of dioxin — a group of chemicals with similar structures that are produced naturally and as a byproduct of industrial processes such as paper production and waste incineration — began in 1985.

It has remained in limbo since, amid complaints from industry groups and other federal agencies,” according to E&E Reporter.  Here’s the letter.   Congressional sign on 041111_epa_dioxin_letter.pdf

For a comparison of biomass emissions to coal and natural gas on key parameter, check out this chart containing emissions numbers from company permit applications. Chart Emissions.pdf

Check out this March 2011 important report from American Lung Association on the health hazards of emissions from coal plants, like particulates and mercury. American Lung Report March  2011.pdf  These are the same toxic air pollutants emitted by biomass plants — only biomass emits more of some of these pollutants than coal!

In February, 2011, U.S. EPA fined two biomass incinerators in California $835,000 for violations of the Clean Air Act.  Since when does “clean energy” spew out toxic pollution that’s so bad the government has to step in to get them to clean up their act? Calif Biomass Power Plants Fined.pdf

Also in February, 2011, the U.N. issued an important report on “black carbon,” a component of particulates like those from biomass incinerator.  Black_Carbon UN Report Mar 2010 .pdf The U.N. says,

Black carbon, a component of particulate matter, and ozone both lead to adverse impacts on human health leading to premature deaths worldwide. Ozone is also the most important air pollutant responsible for reducing crop

yields, and thus affects food security.

Many proposed facilities are being sized to fall under the Clean Air Act emissions thresholds that would require the most protective air pollution controls.  For example: Air Valdosta GA Wiregrass Permit 2010.doc

Air Permit Port Townsend WA Notice to Construct .pdf

Read about opposition to WE Energies biomass incinerator in Rothchild WI by Save Our Air Resources and others SOAR Brief-Reply-5.pdf.SOAR Brief-Initial-5.pdf SOAR – Comment FONSI-5.pdf Air App Appendix G – Supplement 5-26-10 copy.pdf