Under the 2008 federal Farm Bill, your tax money is being given to the timber and incinerator industry to chop down our national forests and burn them!
Nationwide opposition is forming to stop incineration of our forests by the biomass industry. Click here to see letters to the U. S. Department of Agriculture calling for an honest environmental impact study.
Comments by Center for Biological Diversity, Natural Resources Defense Council, Native Forest Council, Green Delaware, Heartwood Alliance, EcoLaw Massachsusetts and Dr. Ellen Moyer.
We have compiled several key facts that you should know about the campaign. Click on the links to read more!
Over 200 biomass plants are operating or in the pipeline in the U.S. today. List compiled by Energy Justice Network and EcoLaw.
Biomass power plants burn whole trees - see aerial photograph of a Vermont biomass plant with whole trees stockpiled. Photo courtesy of Chris Matera, Massachusetts Forest Watch.
Chart showing plant emissions comparing coal, natural gas, and biomass combustion.
American Lung Association of New England Letter to Senator Kerry Opposing Biomass Combustion
Heartwood Alliance report on forestry impacts of biomass burning.
October 20, 2009 letter from EcoLaw to Representatives Waxman and Markey on flaws in U.S. EPA model of emissions under H.R. 2454.
Public Health Impacts of Biomass Burning: Letter to the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Children's Health, 10/20/09, from medical doctors. Attachments: 1, 2, 3, 4
EcoLaw shows there are no facts underlying the U.S. EPA's "assumption" that biomass burning is "carbon neutral" in a letter to the Congressional Research Service.
"Animated video showing impacts of logging for biomass on Massachusetts' forests," by Ellen Moyer, Ph.D. and Chris Matera, P.E.
A report on why burning to generate electricity is not "clean and green:" Industry Blowing Smoke, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, June 15, 2009
Request from Massachusetts based environmental groups asking Congress to not to allow burning of forests and garbage to be called "clean and green." Letter dated June 12, 2009 to Senators Kennedy and Kerry, Representatives Pelosi, Waxman and Markey from RESTORE: The Northwoods, Trout Unlimited-Greater Boston Chapter, Massachusetts Environmental Energy Alliance and Green Berkshires, Inc.
For an overview of why burning forests and garbage should not be considered "clean and green": Biomass and Other Burning Under H.R. 2454 Raises Atmospheric CO2 (Notes from Presentation), Presentation by Attorney Sheehan, U.S. House of Representatives, June 19, 2009
Fact summary comparing wood burning biomass to coal: Why is Biomass Burning Considered "clean and green" in the RES of the House Climate Change bill, H.R. 2454? It is neither! by Massachusetts Environmental Energy Alliance, June 2009
Trout Unlimited Greater Boston Chapter asks Senators Kerry and Kennedy to ensure that biomass burning is not considered "renewable energy" in the Senate climate bill due out September 8, 2009.
Helpful links: energyjustice.org, no-burn.org, massenvironmentalenergy.org, maforests.org, neighborsagainsttheburner.org, sasea.org