Biomass Burning Rules in Massachusetts Could Have National Impact
By Stacy Feldman
Solve Climate
In a move that could have wide ramifications for the future of biomass power nationwide, Massachusetts regulators have proposed to strictly regulate the ability of wood-burning incinerators to earn renewable power certificates.
It’s the latest twist in a long-running debate about whether biomass should qualify as a form of renewable energy and benefit from clean energy incentives.
The draft rule by the Department of Energy Resources unveiled late Friday would require biomass incinerators to become 60 percent more efficient in order to earn full renewable energy credits and 40 percent to get a fraction of them. It would force a 50 percent cut in planet-warming gases from biomass plants by 2030 compared to fossil fuels, and limit the sorts of “residues” and waste wood that can be burned “to discourage the poor forest management practice.”
Final regulations are expected be in place by the end of the year.
