http://vtdigger.org/2011/12/21/schlossberg-new-biomass-power-plant-will-increase-home-heating-costs/
Schlossberg: New biomass power plant will increase home heating costs
by Opinion | December 21, 2011
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Editor’s note: Josh Schlossberg is the editor of The Biomass Monitor.
I’m sure I’m speaking for most Vermonters when I thank Sen. Leahy, Sen. Sanders, Rep. Welch and Gov. Shumlin for pushing the federal government to increase fuel-assistance dollars so Vermonters can afford to heat their homes over the winter. Gov. Shumlin reminds us “there is no greater challenge than keeping Americans in cold states from freezing in their homes this winter.”
Which is why I’d like to suggest an additional, longer-term and cheaper strategy that will simultaneously help stabilize home-heating costs for Vermonters while reducing the burden on taxpayers: opposing the construction of biomass power incinerators, which burn our limited and precious forests for an inefficient source of electricity, subsidized by taxpayer handouts.
The Vermont Comprehensive Energy Plan states: “Increasing the demand for forest products risks raising the prices for lower-grade firewood — a burden that would fall disproportionately on lower-income Vermonters who rely on firewood to heat their homes.”
Your average Vermont family burns a few cords of wood a winter to heat their well-insulated home. Meanwhile, the McNeil biomass power incinerator in Burlington burns 30 cords an hour — enough to be heating 87,600 homes this winter.
I hope Vermonters will encourage Sen. Leahy, Sen. Sanders, and Rep. Welch to work to eliminate the hundreds of millions of dollars of annual taxpayer subsidies diverted to biomass power incinerators across the U.S. (go to nobiomassburning.org to read the report “BiomassElectricity: Clean Energy Subsidies for a Dirty Industry”). ARRA “stimulus” funding alone has diverted $102,532,534 of taxpayer dollars to the construction of nine biomass power incinerators across the U.S. in the past two years.
Out-of-state Beaver Wood Energy is looking to cash in on these generous “stimulus” taxpayer handouts to fund 30 percent of their construction costs for a biomass power incinerator in Fair Haven. Vermont Agency of Natural Resources has already issued the draft air permit, though the Public Service Board has yet to approve its certificate of public good. Three other biomass power proposals are on the table for Vermont, in Pownal (also Beaver Wood Energy), Springfield and Ludlow.
Our brutal economic climate means we have to do more than just ask for an increase in fuel assistance dollars. We must also demand the federal government stop wasting money on inefficient biomass power generation that will inevitably spike the price of firewood for home heating.
Of course, our elected officials aren’t going to do much about this issue unless Vermonters ask them to. If you’re concerned about the price of firewood for low-income Vermonters, please ask Gov. Shumlin and your state legislators to propose a moratorium on the construction of new biomass power plants in the state.
Disclaimer: I am not endorsing the expansion of wood burning in Vermont. Burning wood for heating and/or electricity can have serious impacts on public health, climate, forests, watersheds and truly clean, non-smokestack, community-scale energy such as solar PV and solar thermal. However, many Vermonters already have wood stoves installed in their homes, and while a few more megawatt-hours of electricity won’t make much of a difference, heating a home over a Vermont winter can be a matter of life and death.
Which is why actions to increase federal fuel assistance dollars that ignore the firewood price-spike resulting from increased biomass power incineration in Vermont are incomplete at best, irresponsible at worst.
From the opinion piece: "...heating a home over a Vermont winter can be a matter of life and death." Yep, I recall all those stories from last winter of hundreds, if not thousands of Vermonters freezing to death!
ReplyDeleteIs it possible in this day and age to just stick to the objective facts? Such BS...
To the Brave "Anonymous",
ReplyDeleteYou may not have read about those hundreds and thousands of deaths in Vermont, but I have personally seen people in my practice who have gone hungry, without adequate winter clothes, not buying needed medicinem etc. because they had to pay for fuel, wood, pellets, or use the gas stove to keep the kitchen warm enough to huddle together. Objective enough for you?
Well said Tony!....
DeleteAgrees, well said!
DeleteDont foreget the increase in Ashma and other related respitory problems (and cancers) that will result from this Toxic plant--its huge 35 megawatts!!! pouring toxins into our Air--its little better than burning coal. You will be told it is state of the art and puts out less than Gov't standards--PLEASE any toxin -no matter how little--is more than our kids need!
DeleteSMART METER RADIATION
ReplyDeleteWe observe (1) Human Cell Damage, (2) DNA Chain Breaks and (3) Breaches in the Blood-Brain Barrier in the laboratory when testing the radiation from smart meters at radiation levels considerably lower and less frequent than smart meters emit attached to homes.
These radiation effects on the body can result in cancer, tumors, miscarriage, birth defects, semen degradation (infertility) and a large number of other problems and illnesses to a body.
It surprises us that those people who claim safety of this product do so without ever being in a testing laboratory.
It is understandable why the utility companies and smart meter manufacturers would lie to the public, but it is curious why some members of the public support harm to their own families within their own homes.
Yep. Probably same person has the opinion that Vermont Yankee should be shut down. So we can all get our electricity from hydro Quebec at top dollar. Forget about heat. We'll all be back to burning candles
ReplyDeleteHow about "Hydro Springfield" at a low cost. Why did people first settle in this area? The Comtu Falls have the power to support the town. Many other towns in Vermont would be able to use the same energy source.
ReplyDeleteGreat point! We should be using water power not biomass! Yes!
DeleteAll those dams that were initially utilized have been filled with silt over the years. Comtu falls does generate some electricity. You won't find any more hydro projects in this state. Because of the save the fish, save the trees and the not in my backyard mentality. They can't even slow the water flow down to remove the tree on the dam by fellows. Because a minimum flow is required for the abundant fish population in the black river.
ReplyDeleteThanks to the "greenies" in this state!!!
DeleteNew low flow technology could be implemented this allows a bio-friendly / fish friendly / turtle friendly / PEOPLE friendly balance.
DeleteOpen ended with no dam.
I an a Greeny. That is what we want here in vermont. The Green Mountain State.
Go Comtu falls
Go Greenies! Yes, that is why we live in Vermont, an exceptionally beautiful state and all what you say sounds great.
Deleteyou can use Comtu Falls..
ReplyDeletenew low flow technology works and is environmentally friendly.
The power then used to power over unity devices or electrical amplifiers winds up being quite substantial.
This should be the Town of Springfield Vt's primary goal.
Ok. And how would that reduce taxes. Still have the issue of the residents in this town not wanting business
ReplyDeleteactually the result is allot of free heat and electricity for the town, state, and locals.
DeleteThat is probably going to raise taxes.
The good thing is lower electric bills and lower heat bills, for Springfield residents who now have more savings even above the slight increase in taxes.
any Springfield politicain could run with this to the top, it's also like an endless supply of votes, so I'm sure the Town's integrity could be showcased.
Why don't you run? I would vote for you. And why don't we get to elect a mayor?
DeleteI take it.you have investors lined up for this project and its good to go?
ReplyDeleteWell I wouldn't start by spending the school budget on reviewing
DeleteMagnetocrystalline Anisotropy
and
anisotropy/fresnel conditions
or creating a Vocational Techical program with a hands on shop or lab.
No, that would be to easy.
As far as spending money on the hands on shop or lab, I have to say your wrong!! College isn't for every student, and the Vocational Tech Center allows them to get hands on experience in a field of which they may have an interest in.
Deleteuhhh.
Deletethe VoTech program I meant was for Springfield Schools and I meant middle and High School.
I don't care if the students "aren't interested"
And,
I would start here. I was using sarcasm.
Yes --from Mass--where govt tightened controls--now they come to VT. with promise of millions of dollars and jobs to Springfield if they build here (think prison) --they didn't exactly tell everyone the impacts though. People hear renewable and think oh that is great--there is cost to your health, forest, environment and way of life. THE PROPOSED SITE IS A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD (ZONED INDUSTRIAL)--Yet still residential with elderly, and children--who will be affected the most by this. And your homes will be devalued as well--who wants to live in a town with pollutants?
Deletethe guy above me is talking about the bio-mass plant. He makes some good points, again.
DeleteThe hydro idea is From Springfield Vt. A good alternative to the Biomass plant
How many jobs will it create? How much tax revenue will Springfield get? I hear everyone complaining about residential property taxes. A few businesses could help with the burden. If only they were allowed.
ReplyDeleteJobs? it could help put any company into international competition.
DeleteWithout the overhead of heat and electricity, everyone in Springfield would have game.
Taxes? this isn't so much about taxes, what you get is free heat and electricity. Taxes may go up.
IT will create 28 jobs and lots of toxin in the air and water--its only a little better than a coal burning plant--NOT Worth it. Goggle on Utube the interviews of people living biomass plants. go to web sites of other biomass Plants--there are at least 3 big 50 megawatt plants in Mass. Mass got smart and tightened controls on them--they are now looking to set up in VT. Do we want Green Mountains or Brown Mountains.
DeleteThe Above Anon
Deletewhen speaking about free heat and electricity is refering to Hydro in the Rivers using low flow technology.
International competition and Springfield Having Game is a LOW FLOW HYDRO concept.
Don't let a biomass advocate confuse you by adding comments in between the origional comments.
Free. Nothing is free. You actually believe you will have free heat and electricity. I want to be in your reality.
ReplyDeleteYou are in our reality. Precision Made in Springfield
Deletefree heat
free electricity
excess heat and electricity to be sold and or traded / surpluss power to export.
Sounds good to me. Where do I sign up? I would love to have 2 of my most expensive bills dropped to nothing. Then I wouldn't have the stress on how I am gonna pay for it each month.
ReplyDelete@ Anon re:Comtu falls....
ReplyDelete"no other hydro electric in Vermont?" You Sir are under informed on the subject. Ever hear of Cavendish Gorge?
Vermont should go Hydro before they burn their woods
DeleteBetter tell that to all the people that are fighting the rivers being dammed due to fishery and other aquatic life concerns. ie the soft shelled turtle takes precedence over hydro.
Deletethose good people all seem to agree on line about low flow technology and open ended processes all of which REQUIRE NO DAMN.
DeleteYour own sewer pipe can run a low flow device, I hope that doesn't get damned !!!.
Yes the future is here, again.
and we all like turtles.
@ anonymous.
Deleteyour so right, save the turtles and fish but let our children fry their brains to RF radiation.
There will be no new hydro's
ReplyDeletethank the lord your not in charge !!
DeleteFree heat, electricity. Yeah right. And tree huggers. We're screwed in this state.
ReplyDelete@ "In this State"
Deleteother states have rivers too.
over unity electrical devices can be used anywhere.
and oh, by the way..
Why You Gotta' put hate on the trees ?
Yeah, seriously.
DeleteIs this not The Green Mountain State.
has anyone else claimed the title of
Bald Mountain State ?
Re: Biomass plant
DeleteSPRINGFIELD SHOULD NOT BE A DUMPING GROUND
As for the person complaining about tree huggers, may I respectfully suggest that you move to NH?
Actually I think many people in NH also love trees. Oh dear I am descending to the lower levels of the blog conversation. Must get out. But I am very happy to hear some positive discussion of hydro.
And as for the biomass plant, why should Springfield be a dumping ground for polluting technology?
This may be renewable energy (if we really have enough trees and water, which is very uncertain) but the damage to the air quality appears to be significant, from the testimony I have heard. Massachusetts has already done a lot of research and said no to large biomass plants. Biomass plants also emit more carbon and other dangerous chemicals than coal plants. This winter we have seen the effects of global warming. The weather pattern is really messed up. Vermont needs to stick with its plan of reducing greenhouse gases and a Biomass plant is a step in the wrong direction.
Anyone who doesn't know much about the proposed plant should look at the links on the NoSag site.
Yes and other states unlike Vermont welcome business. They don't fight it.
ReplyDeleteyep, that is where they make 'em these days, not here so much anymore.
DeleteOur current leaders
seem to have over $150,000,000.00 to spend
but can't think of anything better than a really really big wood fire.
shouldn't we fight that?
YOU BET we need to fight back. Inform yourselves and others on BioMass Plants. Use that money on Solar/wind/water. Shumlin just passed a bill that spurs incentives on Solar. Biomass is touted as renewable and clean--Don't believe it. Read what is goingon with BioMass inother states. Goggle it.
DeleteFight all you want if you have an alternative in line to decrease the residential taxpayers burden by almost 2 million. If not don't complain about your tax rate. If this plant does not get built. You only voted for your own increase and once again place the majority of the tax burden on homeowners instead of sharing the burden with business.
ReplyDeleteyou are counting taxes and votes not BTUs
DeleteI am counting on business in this town to help reduce the tax burden. Also jobs would be nice for the area.
ReplyDelete28 jobs???-not worth it.
Deletehmm...a 9,000,000.00 dollar payroll and only 28 jobs, where do I sign up
Deleteyou read this wrong. No where does it say
Delete$9,000,000,00 = 28 jobs.
sounds good and there are a whole mess of stupid people here in Springfield that will vote based on your miss-quote.
So, I hope your yard burns up. Just like you want to burn my trees.
In the end (after contractors, subcontractors--probaly even out of state contractors make their money) this plant will employ 28 people, strip our mountains, expose us to health risks--not worth anything to me. Springfield needs to get good manufacturing jobs here--not an electrical generation plant.
DeletePERFECTLY SAID !!!
Deleteafter all the money goes to OUT OF STATE companies
we get to die of BIOMASS health problems.
Springfield can get it's electricity from the Black River if it needs to.
Pick a starting point. How about the center of Town? START THERE.
Don't screw this up, you will be remebered.
What votes do I need. I only have 3 years left in this town then I'm leaving. Born and bred in Springfield. Been here all my life. But being driven out by backward thinking transplants.
ReplyDeletedid she say
ReplyDelete"Magnetocrystalline Anisotropy
and
anisotropy/fresnel conditions"
I am so charmed
How many of you realize that the City of Burlington has a biomass power plant? Ever notice it when you're up that way?
ReplyDeleteYou should notice it and also hear what the people living next to it have to sat. How many tons of Hazzardous Air Pollutants will this plant produce--because it will produce it. That can't be denied and is not denied--go to WWW: massenvironmentalenergy.org.
DeleteEven if it does not burn construction & demolition debries and uses only trees--it still produces pollutants: Chromium, lead, Mercury, dioxins, benzene, methylene, chloride, ARsenic--oh sure they will say Minor amounts under Federal Clean Air standards--minor is too much.
Oh, yeah.
DeleteI often think of a comparison between North Springfield and Burlington ?
Isn't one big, and one small ?
One should have a biomass plant and one should not.
our cars put out more pollutants from burning gasoline and oil than this plant will put out.. nobody complains about all the wood stoves burning in vermont... until it is put into a larger perspective.. I have heard that it will actually create 128 jobs, with a 9million dollar payroll per year.. thats roughly 52 G a year if every employee is paid the same.. (of course they wont as there will be managers and workers) . I am not taking sides on this issue yet, just pointing out some issues.
Deletehehehe..
DeleteI wouldn't sleep in the car with the garage door shut
and I also wouldn't sit on top of the chimney.
But I would like a clean home.
Yup, I would want a place far far away from things like automobile pollution and Too Much smoke polluting everything I breath. Yeah, I'd like a place far far away from that, one with clean air. A place that was always going to have clean air. A place like North Springfield Vt