header

www.healthlink.org

 
 
A coalition of individuals and organizations dedicated to stopping the construction of a gas fired power plant on the waterfront of Salem, Massachusetts.

Climate change is real and our coalition believes halting future investment in fossil fuel power generation must be equally real. GASPP is working to stop the construction of a gas power plant on Salem harbor through legal appeals, public demonstrations, political action and media campaigns.
 
For more information, visit the Salem GASPP Facebook page.

 
 

 


 

 

 

Dear 'Links,

 

Opposition to the gas plant has emerged in Salem and in neighboring communities.
 
 
 
Here are some key facts that concern us all:

 

 

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. 


 

Massachusetts coal plants are being retired, one by one; it is expensive to clean up particularly when prices are set by cheaper gas. Representative Ehrlich's bill to help host communities like  Salem transition to clean renewable energy by helping to support host communities and laid-off workers is on course for passage. Read today's papers:

 

 

Hearing held on bill to phase out coal plants - Salem News

 

To express your opposition to building this large, unnecessary, gas plant that will be around for 50 years, please help circulate a petition in Salem and neighboring communities which states simply that signers "do not want a new power plant built in Salem." Go to the GASPP Facebook page to download a petition.

HealthLink
P.O. Box 301
Swampscott, MA 01907
781-598-1115

 

HealthLink mission: To protect and improve public health by reducing and eliminating toxins and pollutants from our environment through research, education and community action.