This isn’t what we mean by renewable energy
Burning wood and trash is not renewable energy.
Biomass (especially from wood) and trash incineration have devastating effects. People who live near these polluters are at a higher risk for asthma, heart disease and cancer just from breathing the air. And of course, incineration releases more carbon at a time when we need to be doing everything we can to prevent the worst effects of climate change.
But Governor Baker and his administration are trying to pass off these toxic, polluting, high-cost energy sources as renewables. That means that taxpayer money—meant to increase renewable energy in our state—would go to these dirty industries instead.
Incineration just doesn’t belong in the same category as wind and solar. A clean, renewable energy future means that the energy we produce is good for our health, our climate, and our planet. It’s possible to fuel our towns and cities with energy that doesn’t pollute our air and water, destroy ecosystems, and exacerbate climate change.
Years ago, when Massachusetts was drafting renewable energy policy, the state listened to community members and scientists who agreed that incineration would be bad for our health and our climate. Governor Baker’s proposal would reverse that decision, dialing back the progress we’ve made.
You can add your voice to the growing list of Massachusetts residents demanding that Governor Baker drop plans to count incineration as renewable energy. Submit a comment today!
