Tense hearing on biomass project brings out supporters, proponents

Date: 4/12/2011

April 13, 2011

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor

SPRINGFIELD — The only real result so far from the April 5 hearing on the proposal to build a biomass electrical generation plant on Page Boulevard is that Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) officials have extended the public comment period through April 29.

The hearing for the clean air permit was conducted at Duggan Middle School and the entrance to the school's auditorium was almost clogged with protesters holding signs against the proposal as well as several hundred trade union members many of whom wore fluorescent green T-shirts and stickers stating they support biomass.

The MassDEP sat silently as they listened to speakers both in favor and in opposition to the proposed development. With hundreds of people in attendance at the Duggan Middle School, 72 people had signed up to speak.

John Mullin, professor of Regional Planning, director of the Center for Economic Development and dean of the Graduate School at the University of Massachusetts served as the moderator. The room was set up with two microphones — one designated for those in favor and one for those opposed. Each speaker was allotted three minutes.

Mullin would have three speakers from each side of the issue line up and alternate between sides — one pro, one anti.

Once the speakers began, it was soon clear that those in favor of the biomass plant based their decision not just on the scientific findings presented by the supporters but also on the promise of union construction jobs.

The protesters uniformly asked the MassDEP to make no further decision until a full and impartial environmental impact study could be completed.

As the evening progressed, the supporters of the plan regularly booed each of the opposition speakers, regardless of what that speaker said.

The tension grew to a level in the room that David Callahan, the president and CEO of Palmer Renewable Energy (PRE), appealed to his supporters not to interrupt or boo the other side.

At one point, the two Springfield police officers on duty rushed to the entrance of the auditorium to prevent a heated exchange between a union member and someone opposing the plant from growing into a physical confrontation.

State Reps. Benjamin Swan and Sean Curran both voiced their opposition to the plant, as did City Councilor Tim Allen, who noted the issue never came before the Springfield Public health Council he chaired in 2008.

"We still don't know the full implications of this plant," Allen said.

Callahan told the panel his company has "worked tirelessly over the past five years to meet the challenges of the government ... our facility is the cleanest renewable facility proposed in Massachusetts."

He added the state should be closing fossil fuel plants to improve air quality.

Opponent Sue Reed question how the state could permit the plant considering the asthma rates in the region.

She was countered by Dale Raczynski, an engineer working for Epsilon Associates, a consulting firm hired by PRE, who said the new facility would be "four times cleaner than the Mount Tom power plant."

Mary Booth of the Massachusetts Environmental Energy Alliance, disputed Raczynski's statement and said the new facility would be "the first or largest particle emitter in [the four western] counties."

"Only a tiny fraction of people in this room are going to get a job at the plant but we're all going to have to breathe the air," Booth added.

Former City Councilor Bud Williams then spoke. He was president of the City Council when that body approved a special permit for the facility in 2008. He stated his continued support for the proposal and noted it would bring "200 construction jobs and 50 well-paying jobs."

"Nothing has changed in the past three years to shake my faith in this project," Williams said.

Ed Carlson of Princeton, Mass., said, "I don't have an oar in this water," but that he lived in the shadow of the Pine Tree Power Plant in Fitchburg and he hasn't seen any impact on the quality of life.

"I'm amazed at the fear in this audience. It's the fear of the unknown," he said.

Noting how a previous speaker, a doctor who treats children with respiratory illness was booed, Michaelann Bewsee of Arise for Social Justice wondered why union members "booed a physician who cares for sick kids."

"I know you need jobs," she continued, "but, man, I don't understand that."

"If there is nothing to hide why not do the [environmental impact] study?" she asked the MassDEP panel.

MassDEP requested that written testimony be submitted via e-mail to: mailto:marc.simpson@state.ma.us. Written testimony may also be sent to Marc Simpson, Air Quality Permit Chief, Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Waste Prevention, 436 Dwight St., Springfield, MA 01103 before April 29.