CLF negotiates a more sustainable future: for biomass energy in Massachusetts.

• Author: Reid, Sue
• Position: PROGRESS REPORT - Conservation Law Foundation

BACKGROUND

The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2008 mandates that Massachusetts cut its greenhouse gas emissions at least 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. Biomass facilities currently are eligible for incentives under the state's mandate to include more clean, renewable fuel sources in its electricity mix. However, there is a debate raging about what types of biomass should be treated as "clean" energy. In 2009, biomass opponents launched a ballot initiative geared toward ending subsidies for all biomass electric power generation. Meanwhile, the state funded a comprehensive study, known as the "Manomet Study," to better understand the impacts of biomass on the environment, including on GHG emissions.

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THE PROBLEM

The Manomet Study revealed that certain types of biomass, such as harvesting and burning whole trees to generate electricity, can actually produce more greenhouse gases than coal. Other types, such as anaerobic digestion, are known to help reduce greenhouse gases. In between those two extremes, there exists a whole spectrum of types of biomass, some of which are ultimately beneficial to the environment and others that may cause more harm than good--but no clear regulatory framework exists by which to evaluate their respective environmental impacts. A "yes" vote in November 2010 would have removed all types of biomass from the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), effectively throwing the good out with the bad.

CLF IN ACTION

CLF, with the support of several other environmental organizations, met with the leading proponents of the biomass ballot initiative in the spring of 2010. Working with these stakeholders, CLF negotiated compromise legislation to include only responsible biomass projects in the RPS. As CLF worked to advance the bill through the legislature, Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles issued a new directive on biomass policy which closely reflects the legislation CLF negotiated and is a logical outgrowth of the Manomet Study. The directive included sufficient changes to the existing policy to convince the opponents to drop the ballot initiative.

PROGRESS!

CLF's tenacious advocacy...