http://www.vermontjournal.com/content/north-springfield-action-group-takes-stance-biomass
North Springfield Action Group Takes a Stance on Biomass
Submitted by VT Journal on Wed, 04/18/2012 - 10:02am
Incinerator at McNeil Biomass Plant, Burlington VT. This biomass plant is the largest polluter in the state of Vermont. (Credit: MatthewThorsen.com)
True economic growth does not harm environments or people, but depends on them. The quality of Vermont's environment is what attracts people to work here. “ –Springfield Town Plan, 2009
NORTH SPRINGFIELD, VT -The North Springfield Action Group (NoSAG), a non-profit organization, formed less than two months ago in response to a proposed 25 to 35 megawatt biomass plant to be built in North Springfield VT. The mission of NoSAG is to support, monitor and promote a healthy and sustainable environment through good stewardship of local resources.
NoSAG advocates zero tolerance for the Winstanley biomass power plant (a.k.a. Renewable Energy Project) proposed for North Springfield. For the next fifty years, this plant will affect Vermont communities in the following ways:
Air Pollution: A list of the chemicals that will emit from the plant’s smokestack are given on page 10 of the Winstanley air quality permit (www.swcrpc.org). The list includes particulate matter, Nitrogen Oxide, Sulfur Dioxide, Carbon Dioxide Equivalents and Beryllium which is highly toxic when inhaled. These are listed as exceeding VT Significant Emission Rates. Particulate matter emissions alone are expected to be 39.1 tons per year. Other possible emissions include lead, mercury and asbestos.
Deforestation of Vermont’s Golden Goose Forests: This plant will consume 20,000 acres of wood equivalents per year.
Water usage: The water usage by the plant is expected to be at least 576,000 gallons per day with a peak of 716,000 gallons per day. (The average household uses 127,000 gallons per year) Also, the water will be leached back into the ground. It is unclear what effect this will have on town wells and private wells. This over usage will tax our water system and possibly limit future economic and residential growth.
Traffic: The plant would increase town road traffic by 5-12 tractor trucks per hour, carrying legal loads of up to 80,000 lbs. It is unclear who will enforce the traffic restrictions, pay for road maintenance, or fund the construction of a special access road to accommodate the trucks.
These points, paired with the uncertainties regarding the impact on taxes and property values, potential economic consequences, lack of long-term employment opportunities, air quality and water contamination, are why NoSAG believes that the risks of such a biomass plant far outweigh the benefits.
NoSAG enthusiastically supports the Springfield Town Plan that was adopted on April 13, 2009, and thus opposes the proposed biomass plant. These words are found in the last paragraph of page 1 in Springfield, VT’s town plan: "Springfield intends to provide a superior environment and quality of life for its residents, yet it also pursues economic growth. True economic growth does not harm environments or people, but depends on them. The quality of Vermont's environment is what attracts people to work here.”The Renewable Energy Project plan presented by Winstanley is, therefore, incompatible with the town plan. A biomass plant will violate the tenants of Springfield Town Plan and surrounding towns, especially when placed in the midst of our residential communities.
If you are interested in moving Springfield forward while maintaining the quality of life and not harming the environment or people, please visit www.nosagvt.org to find out how you can help. All are welcome to join the NoSAG group, attend upcoming informational events, and visit the NoSAG Facebook page.
No comments :
Post a Comment
Please keep your comments polite and on-topic. No profanity