Opponents raise concerns about air pollution, impacts on the Westfield River, and increased truck traffic.
View full sizeThe site plan for the proposed Russell Biomass wood-burning plant at the former Westfield River Paper Co. site in Russell.RUSSELL – Even their business cards are green.
The developers of a proposed 50-megawatt, wood-burning plant in Russell, during a recent meeting with the Editorial Board of The Republican, described their project as a win for the three “E’s” - environment, economy and energy.
The development firm, Russell Biomass, disputes any notion that it will not have enough waste wood to fuel its plant without resorting to clear-cutting of forests. It boasts of 67 “letters of intent” from wood suppliers that will provide many times more wood than the plant would ever need, said Peter G. Bos, one of the developers.
The clean wood fuel supply in Massachusetts was estimated at 2.5 million tons per year in a 2002 study, from sources ranging from tree service companies to storm-damaged trees and discarded pallets, developers said. The waste wood otherwise often ends up in landfills or is left to decompose.
Opponents have sharply criticized the $150 million project that is proposed on the grounds of the former Westfield River Paper Company.
Jana S. Chicoine, of Concerned Citizens of Russell, is among opponents who raise concerns about air pollution, impacts on the Westfield River, and increased truck traffic.
Russell Biomass officials say the fears are unfounded, and counter that the project will mean jobs, $1 million in tax revenue, and a cleaner source of energy.
In addition, the developer is considering creation of a large greenhouse complex to capture the heat from the plant as another benefit, developers said.
And yes, four of the principals in the project showed green-colored business cards during the recent meeting.
Bos said that with a 300-foot-high smokestack and state-of-the-art technology, the project poses no harm to public health.
The emission controls and plant stack technology will capture 99 percent of particulates with the remainder dispersed widely, developers said.
“It absolutely can be developed safely,” Bos said.
The company has pledged to replace 20 poorly functioning wood stoves in Russell at no cost to the homeowners, providing new, clean-burning, wood-pellet stoves in exchange.
That venture “will actually reduce pollution” in town, Bos said, adding that the proposed plant would have less of an impact on a nearby home than any house with a conventional wood stove.
A conventional wood stove would emit 63 micrograms per cubic meter, as opposed to the Russell Plant impact of 0.2 micrograms, according to statistics provided by the developers.
The developers also presented results of an “air dispersion study,” that showed levels of nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, lead, and carbon monoxide “all safely in compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards” set up by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, according to a company summary.
Russell Biomass officials, from left, James M. Ramsey, Peter Bos and William B. Hull, meet with The Republican Editorial Board.The biomass plant is cleaner than energy produced by fossil fuels, while alternative energy sources such as solar and wind power are more expensive and cost prohibitive, Bos and his partners argue.
William B. Hull, the property owner, said the tree stock in Massachusetts and Connecticut has risen dramatically despite the loss of acreage to development.
The developers are concerned about new state regulations being proposed that would threaten renewable energy credits for biomass plants.
The Russell plant has gained most of the permits necessary, but some are under appeal, the developers said.
There are commercial biomass plants elsewhere, including the McNeil Generating Plant in Vermont that have created no problems, Russell Biomass representatives said. The McNeil plant has been strongly supported in Vermont, and forests continue to thrive, developers said.
Bos and Hull were joined by Bos’ brother, John Bos, who serves as public information officer, and James M. Ramsey, another principal of Russell Biomass, in touting their plans.