Wood-Fired Biomass Plants
Biomass Myths - Clarifying Some Misunderstood Issues
by Karen Rogers and John Sanguinetti
The Ecology Center and Weed Concerned Citizens await the outcome of lawsuits intended to improve the Roseburg Forest Products' wood-fired power plant planned for downtown Weed. Decisions are expected within a year from the appellate court in Sacramento. Given the polarization around this issue, it's not surprising that some in our community have misunderstandings regarding the project and our actions to make it safer.
Myth # 1 - "The biomass plant complies with environmental laws, and is safe for the community."
Truth: It is because the project, as approved by our county, does not comply with important environmental laws that citizens became alarmed and involved. Roseburg is already the biggest industrial polluter in Siskiyou County, and the project is located only about 200' from residential neighborhoods. Serious issues regarding air quality, water, and noise have not been resolved (these are detailed in previous articles, posted here at CleanWeed.org and in newsletter archives at www.mountshastaecology.org). Just because a project receives a green light at a local level does not mean that environmental laws are being followed. In fact, without our watch-dog efforts, our county in 2006 was prepared to (improperly) exempt this project from any environmentol review whatsoever!
Many of the pollutants are known to cause cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illness. The plant would be Siskiyou County's largest source of styrene (a carcinogen), acetaldehyde (a carcinogen), hydrogen chloride (causes respiratory illnesses), & napthalene (a carcinogen), formaldehyde (a carcinogen), and toluene (a carcinogen).
The plant will emit about 120 tons of NOx per year. According to the EPA, NOx causes respiratory problems and aggravates heart disease. It can damage lung tissue, and cause premature death.
The plant will emit many other direct and indirect greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming, including nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), non-methane-volatile compounds (NVOC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon monoxide (CO). Due to its long atmospheric lifetime (approximately 120 years) and heat trapping effects -N2O is about 310 times more powerful than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas.
Not a myth:
The Roseburg biomass plant would burn 250 cords of wood daily,
adding hundreds of tons of unhealthy pollutants into the air
around Weed and Mt. Shasta annually.
An association of Family Physicians says biomass plants could
"increase the risk of premature death, asthma, chronic bronchitis
and heart disease." (NY Times)
Myth # 2 - "The Ecology Center could just talk to Roseburg and the county, and try to work out solutions, instead of filing a lawsuit.
Truth: The Ecology Center and Weed Concerned Citizens (WCC) used every avenue available to encourage a satisfactory outcome for this project. We contributed detailed scientific comments and met with county officials and Roseburg representatives numerous times. Unfortunately, our well documented reports seemed to have little effect. The permit in question grants legal permission to pollute, and once the county issued the permit, there was no meaningful recourse left to citizens, except legal action.
Myth # 3 - "Roseburg complies with all applicable laws. They have a good track record."
Truth: Roseburg recently received a Notice of Violation and was fined for extensive periods of missing emissions data from their Weed facility, according to the EPA. Our county Air Pollution Control District, responsible for oversight and enforcement, took no action. Roseburg has also incurred numerous environmental violations and fines in Oregon, their home base, including violating their air permit, and discharging toxic pollutants into the Umpqua River.
Myth # 4 - "Biomass energy is green and clean, a renewable resource that is better than our other options."
Truth: According to the New York Times, burning wood for electricity is "facing increased scrutiny and opposition," is "not as climate-friendly as once thought, and the pollution it causes in the short run may outweigh its long-term benefits." ("Net Benefits of Biomass Power Scrutinized").
The article highlights a recent Massachusetts study that concluded that biomass power plants "would probably prove worse for the climate than existing coal plants over the next several decades." (www.manomet.org/node/322)
Myth # 5 - "Environmentalists really just want to stop this project.
Truth: As we've stated often, a biomass facility makes sense in our forested region - and we support biomass projects that comply with environmental laws. This project does not. Its extremely close proximity to homes and schools makes it imperative to do this project with integrity. Proven solutions exist to make the project safer. Yes, these improvements cost more - but without them, residents and taxpayers will end up paying the price. Unfortunately, rather than invest in needed safeguards for the project, Roseburg has instead chosen to invest heavily in litigation. We don't believe that the quality of south county citizens' lives, and the clean air of Mount Shasta should "go up in smoke" because of a lax attitude toward environmental laws. This project can be done responsibly, and still make Roseburg a handsome profit. Our goal is that the project be win / win for the entire community.
Please help! Your participation is needed to help protect Weed and Mount Shasta from unnecessary pollution. Volunteer with us!
We welcome your donations toward legal expenses (tax-deductible).
Specify for biomass project.
Send to CleanWeed, c/o MSBEC, Box 1143, Mt. Shasta, CA 96067
or call 530.926.5655.