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Dear 'Links,
These unusually hot summer days, strange and wild weather including police warnings of local tornadoes and unseasonably swimmable ocean are indicators of climate change. HealthLink is opposed to the plan to put a gas plant on the site of the soon-to-be-closed Salem Harbor plant for several reasons.
1. The amount of CO2 emitted will make it more difficult for Massachusetts to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions as required by the Global Warming Solutions Act by 25% below 1990 levels by 2020 and by 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. (Natural) gas is 70%-90% methane - a potent greenhouse gas according to the EPA: "Pound for pound, the comparative impact of CH4 on climate change is over 20 times greater than CO2."
2. Better than coal? Maybe ... but not good: Emissions from the plant per year will be: Nitrogen oxides - 158.6 tons per year, Carbon monoxide - 214.1 tons per year, Sulfur dioxide - 31.5 tons per year, Particulate matter - 109.9 tons per year, Ammonia - 56.0 tons per year, Carbon dioxide - 2.5 million tons per year.
4. It is time to stop using fossil fuels - time to get modern with geothermal, solar, wind, hydrodynamic (wave and tidal), conservation and efficiency.
What is HealthLink doing?
1. HealthLink is a party to a law suit brought by Conservation Law Foundation in objection to granting a variance to Massachusetts Chapter 91 to Footprint. Email healthlink@healthlink.org if you would like to read the brief. Many other organizations are joining in opposition to the gas plant in Salem: Sierra Club, Clean Water Action, 350.org.
2. HealthLink is supporting The Safer Cleaning Products Bill and a strong mercury recycling bill under the auspices of the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow.
3. Do you need help in figuring out what type of laundry line will work for you? Sign up for Line up for $avings and a HealthLink representative will come to your home and consult with you. Over 15 successful laundry line placements! Advice given on composting as well.
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