Dear Governor Baker: What Part of “No” Don’t You Understand?
With only 9 months left in office, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker is still trying to cut and burn more trees.
All posts, MassachusettsUS State & Local Work
When communities are threatened by new or existing biomass power plants, they turn to PFPI for the information they need to fight back.
PFPI responds to requests from communities and advocacy groups from around the country for input on a wide range of issues, including individual facility air permits, rebutting biomass industry claims, greenhouse gas emissions accounting, and state policies related to biomass bailouts and subsidies. We also engage directly in legal and regulatory proceedings and legislative advocacy. See more about our state campaigns and featured reports below.
Key resources:
The Bioenergy Boom from the Federal Stimulus: Outcomes and Lessons (2018)
Maine Bioenergy at the Crossroads: Costs of a Failing Industry (2017)
Trees, Trash, and Toxics: How Biomass Energy Has Become the New Coal (2014)
Burning Money: Biomass Gasification and the DOE Loan Guarantee Program (2013)
Places We Work
Over 100 groups call for end to Biomass Subsidies in Massachusetts
It’s time to enact legislation to fix this problem once and for all.
All posts, Massachusetts, Uncategorized
Burn Notice: Massachusetts Expands Subsidies for Biomass Power Plants
As Baker’s new rules go into effect, advocates urge State Legislature to act.
All posts, Massachusetts, Subsidies, Uncategorized
Massachusetts Revokes Permit for Springfield Biomass Plant
It turns out the state listened to the air quality arguments, after all.
Air Pollution, All posts, Massachusetts
MA Pushes to Greenlight Subsidies for Polluting Biomass Power Plants
As the MA legislature is poised to vote on whether it wants polluting biomass in its clean energy legislation, the Baker administration tries to roll back other hard-won rules that limit this dirty energy source.
All posts, Massachusetts, Subsidies
PFPI Statement on Selection of Tom Vilsack as USDA Secretary
Biden taps Vilsack for agriculture post – can we afford more business as usual?
All posts, US Federal Policy, US Work, Washington DC
MA House Climate Bill Would Promote Biomass Power Plants as “Non-Carbon Emitting Sources”
Proposed legislation throws a lifeline to a biomass plant developers keep trying to build in an environmental justice community in Springfield MA
Air Pollution, All posts, Massachusetts
An Ambitious Climate Plan that Doesn’t Waste Time on False Solutions
The US Climate Action Network (USCAN) Vision for Equitable Climate Action roundly rejects biomass energy and offers a progressive plan for saving the planet
All posts, Forests, US Work
Advocates Urge Mass Legislature to Pass Bills Protecting Forests and Climate
Bill McKibben, E.O. Wilson, Join Call for Urgent Action
All posts, Carbon emissions, Forests, Massachusetts
Secret Fracking Chemicals Threaten Ohioans’ Health, Drinking Water
Ohio law allows drilling companies to hide chemical identities, even from first responders; EPA records suggest secret fracking chemicals pose serious health risks
Fracking, Ohio, Oil and Gas