Proposed 674 MW Gas-Fired Salem Plant
Myth vs. Fact
Myth: The plant is needed for energy reliability.
Fact: ISO-NE has modeled a projection that there may be a one to two year shortfall of 167 MW. This short-term shortfall can be met with transmission upgrades, smartgrid efficiency programs, new sustainable facilities, and/or through the use of already-built power generation facilities.
Myth: This plant will be clean.
Fact: This plant will dump numerous pollutants into the air, including 104 tons of PM2.5, known as fine particulate. The EPA says there is no amount of PM2.5 is safe while approximately 1 in 3 people experience PM2.5 health related effects.
Myth: Gas is needed to transition to carbon-free renewable energy.
Fact: MA has 67% of its electricity generated by gas now. The NJ corporation building this plant is committing Salem to 40-50 years of greenhouse gases and preventing the building of clean, sustainable alternatives.
As for the impact on the City of Salem:
Myth: Footprint is the largest tax-payer in Salem
Fact: The State of MA pays Salem $3 million out of RGGI funds while Footprint pays $1.56 million. This is less than 2% of Salem's tax base.
Myth: Building a gas plant is the only way to get the old plant removed and the site cleaned up.
Fact: The MA DEP has the legal authority now to require the plant to be removed and the site to be cleaned up.
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