Save America's Forests has joined with other forest protection groups, and groups fighting against incinerators that burn trees for energy. Together, we have created a new campaign:
the Anti-Biomass Incineration/Forest Protection Campaign
On July 14 and 15 of 2010, five leaders of the new Anti-Biomass Incineration/Forest Protection Campaign traveled to D.C. and joined with Save America's Forests in over 30 visits with members and staff of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. We found that Congress is rapidly moving ahead promoting progams to accelerate logging of our public and private forests and build wood incinerators.
Most members of Congress erroneously believe that burning trees for energy is green energy.
We must tell members of Congress, especially those who care about the environment, that burning trees in incinerators is bad environmentally, bad economically, and will cause increased air and water pollution with severe human health consequences.
Below are two letters to President Obama and Congress signed by over 50 groups opposing increased logging and biomass incineration. One letter focuses on the Wyden logging bill and the other letter focuses on the Renewable Electricity Standard, the Clean Air Act and the tailoring rule. Also below are many documents we are sharing with Congress, along with other information and links about the dangerous new biomass incineration threat to America's forests, air and water, human health, and our economy.
Look at these other groups' websites for more information
Energy Justice Network - Filled with facts on biomass and incineration
The Biomass Accountability Project - Massachusetts campaign against incinerators
Cascadia’s Ecosystem Advocates - Oregon campaign
Buckeye Forest Council - Ohio campaign
Massachusetts Forest Watch - Biomass clearcutting in forest of Boston's water supply
Photo Chris Matera, Massachusetts Forest Watch
Giant Clearcut in Quabbin Reservoir, a Massachusetts state-owned forest,
and drinking water supply for 2 million people, including Boston
February 4, 2011 - LISTENING ON EARTH - NPR - "BIOMASS, CLIMATE FRIEND or FOE?"
- LISTEN TO ANTI-BIOMASS CAMPAIGN EXPERT AND AUTHOR MARY BOOTH PH.D. EXPLAIN WHY BIOMASS IS THE PROBLEM NOT THE SOLUTION - "The country is looking for alternatives to fossil fuels, and some power companies are seeing a solution in biomass - electricity from the burning of wood and plant materials. While regulators consider biomass a renewable energy source, some scientists say it could be worse for the climate than coal. Living on Earth's Mitra Taj reports on the ongoing debate over biomass' emissions.
TRANSCRIPT AND AUDIO"
December 2010 Radio Program - Vermont Pownal Proposed Biomass Incinerator - WAMC - Northeast Public Radio -Listen to experts refute claims by Biomass Industry that the Incinerator will be clean and not injurious to humans
November 2010 Radio Interview - FRED THE SHOW - 102.3 The Talk Monster! WGOW-FM - Listen to 3 experts with the Anti-Biomass Incineration - Forest Protection Campaign, explain why biomass electricity is a disaster for the forests and global warming - CLICK HERE FOR STREAMING AUDIO (MP3 File)
45 minutes -
July 29, 2010 Press Briefing - Listen to a recording of 6 experts with the Anti-Biomass Incineration - Forest Protection Campaign discuss the problems with biomass incineration, including pollution and carbon emissions, health, economics, legislation, forest ecology, the myth of energy independence, and public opposition - CLICK HERE FOR STREAMING AUDIO (WMA file).
45 minutes.