Speakers at Tuesday's three-hour hearing were limited to three minutes each and some left before they were called upon to offer their comments.
Protesters for and against a proposed biomass plant in Springfield stand in front of Duggan Middle School before the state public hearing on the project on Tuesday night.SPRINGFIELD – The state Department of Environmental Protection has extended a public comment period on a proposed wood-burning plant in East Springfield after hearing a deluge of comments from supporters and opponents on Tuesday night.
The comment period, initially scheduled to end Saturday, is now extended until April 29 on the biomass project, before the state considers plan approval, said Catherine V. Skiba, a regional spokeswoman for the state agency.
An estimated 500 people attended a hearing which lasted approximately three hours at Duggan Middle School on Wilbraham Road. More than 70 people signed up to speak at two microphones stationed in the auditorium, one earmarked for proponents and the other for proponents.
However, due to the number of speakers, time was limited to three minutes for each person, a factor in the decision to extend the public comment period for anyone, Skiba said.
In addition, some people had already left the hearing when called to speak.
Michaelann C. Bewsee, a representative of Stop Toxic Incineration in Springfield, which opposes the plant, praised the extension.
“We are glad to have the extra time for commenting,” Bewsee said. “It was certainly hard to get all of our points across especially with all the booing. I think DEP wants to show they have been totally fair before they give them the air permit.”
The state has made no decision on approval pending review of all relevant comments, verbal and written, Skiba said.
The developer, Palmer Renewable Energy, is proposing a 35-megawatt plant at 1000 Page Blvd., that will burn green wood pellets.
Frank P. Fitzgerald, a lawyer for Palmer Renewable Energy, was not surprised by the extension.
“I think it’s kind of typical for DEP to do that,” Fitzgerald said. “We don’t believe it will slow down our progress.”
Both supporters and opponents held demonstrations in front of the school on Wilbraham Road just prior to Tuesday’s hearing, many holding signs and handing out literature.
Many supporters of the project have said it will be a clean, safe plant, and will create jobs.
Many opponents said the plant will add to air pollution and harm public health.
Skiba said she had no estimate on the number of comments thus far received by the state.