Springfield Zoning Board deals another blow to biomass project; rules building permit has expired
Updated May 06, 2021;
Posted May 06, 2021
Springfield Councilor Jesse Lederman speaks at a demonstration in September of 2020, in opposition to plans for a biomass energy plant in East Springfield. The Zoning Board of Appeals has ruled that its building permit has lapsed. (Hoang Leon Nguyen / The Republican)
Facebook Share
SPRINGFIELD A proposed biomass wood-burning plant in East Springfield was dealt another blow Wednesday night when the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals ruled that a building permit for the project has expired.
The board voted, 4-1, that Palmer Renewable Energy’s building permits for the project, issued in 2011, and extended by the building commissioner, lapsed due to inaction on the permit for more than 180 days.
Ruling from the administration strikes blow to biomass project
thereminder.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thereminder.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
New rules require more efficient biomass energy plants
gazettenet.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from gazettenet.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
State bans biomass power plants near âenvironmental justiceâ communities from qualifying for state incentives
By David Abel Globe Staff,Updated April 16, 2021, 5:18 p.m.
Email to a Friend
After years of protests against plans to build a wood-burning power plant in Springfield, state officials Friday issued new rules that would prohibit biomass facilities from qualifying for valuable financial incentives if theyâre built within 5 miles of a low-income area known as an environmental justice community.
State officials also announced that all new biomass plants would have to become more efficient to qualify for those incentives, known as renewable energy credits.
The move â a reversal from draft rules released late last year â likely ends a decade-long effort to build the biomass plant in Springfield, an environmental justice community known as the nationâs asthma capital.