One more big push: we need strong biomass regulations now!

President Obama's rejection of new regulations reducing smog causing, ozone-producing chemicals this month has at least one important lesson for us: we'd better be ready to protect ourselves on every state and local level we can.

Our long local fight in Springfield to stop Palmer Renewable Energy from constructing a biomass plant in Springfield-- as well as the struggles in Russell  and greenfield-- have become part of a statewide struggle with the Biomass Accountability Project to limit the subsidizing of biomass by the Patrick Administration.  So many of us are headed to Boston on Monday.  If you can't make it you can still have your voice heard-- sign the petition to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor here at Stop Spewing Carbon.

WHAT:

Rally and Press Conference Demanding Governor strengthen rules on subsidizing dirty biomass energy.

A coalition of health, social justice and environmental groups are calling on Gov. Patrick and Lt. Gov. Murray to limit subsidies for dirty biomass energy. The groups are demanding the administration keep their 2010 promise that power plants burning woody biomass for electricity meet strict standards to receive subsidies.

WHEN:         Monday, September 19, 2011  

                         Rally: 10:30 am

                  Press Conference:  11 a.m.

WHERE:          State House: Nurses’ Hall

Groups seeking stronger regulations: Sierra Club, Toxics Action Center, Conservation Law Foundation, Mass Audubon, Clean Water Action Alliance of MA, Environmental League of MA, American Lung Association, Environment MA, Biomass Accountability Project, MA Breast Cancer Coalition, Partnership for Policy Integrity, Natural Resources of Maine, NRDC, Concerned Citizens of Franklin County, Concerned Citizens of Russell, MA Forest Watch, ARISE for Social Justice (Springfield), MassPIRG, Stop Toxic Incineration in Springfield,  Chelsea Creek Action Group, and others.

Photo from fotdmike's photostream at Flickr.