JALSA Submits Testimony in Support of Biomass Legislation

June 28, 2023

Dear Chairperson Barrett:

The Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action (JALSA) is a membership-based non-profit organization based in Boston, with thousands of members and supporters statewide. Guided by Jewish teachings and values, we are devoted to the defense of civil rights, the preservation of constitutional liberties, and the passionate pursuit of social, economic, racial, and environmental justice for all people.

JALSA wishes to offer its testimony in strong support of S.2136 / H.3210, An Act to remove woody biomass from the greenhouse gas emissions standard for municipal lighting plants, and S.2137 / H.3211, An Act limiting the eligibility of woody biomass as an alternative energy supply.

Allowing Municipal Lighting Plants to treat biomass as a “non-carbon emitting source” not only runs counter to science, but also defeats the purpose of the 2021 Climate Roadmap law, which is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, given that biomass power plants emit more CO2 per megawatt-hour than coal plants. Passing S.2136 / H.3210 will address this harmful woody biomass loophole. Passage will also bring Massachusetts’ policy regarding the treatment of woody biomass energy into consistent alignment given that last year, the Legislature removed woody biomass from the list of eligible sources for Massachusetts’ Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) on the principle that it is a harmful, polluting energy source and should not be eligible for “clean” energy subsidies.

As wood-burning boilers and furnaces are highly polluting, with residential and commercial wood heating account for 83% of all fine particulate (PM 2.5) emissions from Massachusetts’ heating sector per the EPA, large and intermediate-sized wood boilers and furnaces should be ineligible for subsidies through Massachusetts’ Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (APS). Passing S.2137 /H.3211 will achieve this reform, which is a vitally important public health measure given that numerous studies have linked PM 2.5 exposure to a wide range of acute and chronic health problems, including asthma, heart disease, cancer, birth defects, premature death, and increased risk of infections and mortality from Covid-19.

Jewish values provide profound guidance in the area of environmental protection. The concept bal tashchit, which orders against engaging in needless waste, destruction, or environmental harm, is central to Jewish environmental ethics. The measures undertaken in S.2136/H.3210 and S.2137 / H.3211 are not only important environmental steps for the Commonwealth, but also meaningfully consistent with the Jewish value of bal tashchit.

Given that wood-burning furnaces emit more CO2 emissions than either oil or natural gas furnaces, the best thing we can do for the climate is to minimize combustion and focus on energy efficiency and clean renewable energy. Massachusetts should focus its clean energy subsidies on measures that actually reduce carbon emissions and protect public health.

JALSA strongly urges the members of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy to report S.2136 / H 3210 and S.2137 / H.3211 favorably out of committee.

Sincerely,

Cindy Rowe
Executive Director
Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action