A spokesman for the plant said it employs 25 people and abides by federal and state emission laws.
This is an aerial view of the Mount Tom coal plant in Holyoke.HOLYOKE – Local groups plan to hold a bike ride Saturday to highlight what they say are unhealthy effects of facilities like the Mount Tom power plant.
The day will begin with the signing of petitions and a photo petition at the Donahue School farmer’s market on Whiting Farms Road from 10 to noon, organizer Becky Palermo said Thursday.
Bicyclists will leave the school about 12:30 p.m. and ride to Nuestras Raices, 329 Main St., she said.
Speakers will make brief remarks and discussions will be held with the farmers about the coal plant’s impact, such as contributing to rates of asthma, lung disease and cardiovascular illnessess, she said.
“We’d love anyone to participate and it’ll be a good time,” Palermo said.
She belongs to Climate Summer, an internship program in which students bike across the state to urge against fossil fuel use, she said.
Others involved in the event are Action for a Healthy Holyoke, Nuestras Raices, Neighbor to Neighbor, Beyond Coal and the Sierra Club, she said.
For information call (413) 231-4894 or visit climatesummer.net
A spokesman for the owner said the coal-burning plant on Route 5 runs only six to eight weeks a year because of the poor economy, but the plant abides by state and federal emission laws.
The plant employs 25 people. It operates only when the area is at peak energy usage, said Charles Burnham, spokesman for FirstLight Power Resources, of Glastonbury, Conn., which is owned by GDF Suez of France,
“We’re operating under existing parameters,” Burnham said.