Jul 9 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Jay Fitzgerald Boston Herald



Biomass-plant developers yesterday blasted the Patrick administration's move to curtail use of wood-burning power plants in Massachusetts, saying the decision was based on a "mischaracterized" state environmental study.

"It has the potential of shutting down biomass power plants in New England," Robert Cleaves, president of the Biomass Power Association, said of state Environmental Secretary Ian Bowles' move to re-evaluate the state's overall policy toward wood-burning energy.

"They're sort of acting as judge, jury and executioner all in one," said Cleaves of the expected biomass clampdown.

"Anyone developing any biomass facility in Massachusetts is now in jeopardy," said Matt Wolfe, the developer of a proposed biomass plant in Greenfield.

 Cleaves said a state-commissioned study, which was released last month, was used as a basis for Bowles' decision -- and Cleaves asserted the study was both "flawed" and "mischaracterized" by the administration.

Even some of the authors of the so-called "Manomet" report said the study's findings about the pluses and minuses of burning wood to make electricity were "mischaracterized."

But they mostly blamed the media for distorting what the report found, pointing to such wire service headlines as "Mass. study: Wood power worse polluter than coal."

Andrea Colnes, policy director at the Biomass Energy Resource Center in Vermont, said the report she worked on with others made clear there were distinct short-term drawbacks to burning wood to generate electricity, largely due to the initial release of large amounts of carbon emissions.

But the Manomet report made clear that the long-term benefits of biomass fuels far outweighed fossil fuels, largely due to ability to "recycle" trees by planting new ones that then absorb carbon dioxide, she said. "Any claim that says biomass energy over time is worse than fossil fuels is inaccurate," said Colnes, echoing the sentiment of other study authors contacted by the Herald. "The conclusion is that if you do it right, over time, biomass can reduce carbon emissions."

Bob Keough, a spokesman for Bowles, said that the administration didn't misconstrue the study's findings and that Bowles has simply ordered up tighter rules for biomass energy, using new scientific research as a guide.

But critics suggested Bowles is trying to appease an anti-biomass group, Stop Spewing Carbon, which earlier this week nixed its plan for a November referendum to ban state incentives for wood-burning power plants. The group dropped its ballot question after Bowles said the administration will change how it evaluates biomass emissions.

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