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Dear 'Links,
HealthLink opposes the proposed gas plant in Salem for the following key reasons:
- The power is not needed specifically at this site but can be generated by smaller distributed generating facilities, upgrading of transmission lines, more efficient use of electricity and conservation.
- Gas is a fossil fuel which contributes to global warming and pollution in every single stage of its cycle - from its mining and fracking to its leaking transmission pipes, to its burning into the air.
- This 674mw gas plant will emit air pollutants for each of the 30-40 years it is expected to burn gas on the site. Here are the emissions per year according to its developers: Nitrogen oxides - 158.6 tons; Carbon monoxide - 214.1 tons; Sulfur dioxide - 31.5 tons; Particulate matter - 109.9 tons; Ammonia - 56.0 tons; Carbon dioxide - 2.5 million tons.
- The plant will work against the Massachusetts Global Warming Solution Act. This Act mandates a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 and by 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. Dramatic changes in sea level rise, storm frequency and intensity are expected as a result of climate change. This gas plant - proposed in a coastal location - will be particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
- Massachusetts generated 68 percent of its electricity from natural gas in 2011 - sufficient gas needed to power this proposed plant will have to arrive by expanding the undersea pipe line or by the use of LNG tankers and nearby factories, offshore or on- , designed to gasify the liquid gas.
- Gas is no longer a transition fuel; it is time for sustainability: if not now, when?
Our allies in environmental groups are working together to attend hearings on the Salem gas plant and make our voices heard. Here's what's coming up:
Wed. April 3 - Power Plant Revitalization Task Force Meeting, 100 Cambridge Street, Boston, 2nd Floor Room C&D, 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Friday, April 5 - Land use and any overflow questions, Massachusetts Energy Siting Board, One South Street, Boston, 5th Floor, Room A, 10 a.m to 5 p.m.
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