9/1/10 Letter to ORCAA Requesting a Moratorium on Biomass Permits

SAVE OUR AIR!

September 1, 2010

Fran McNair. Executive Director

ORCAA

2940 B Limited Lane NW

Olympia, WA 98592

Subect: Moratorium on Biomass Incineration

Dear Ms. McNair,

Today, citizens from Mason, Thurston, and Jefferson Counties are here at the ORCAA offices to demonstrate our concern for the well being of our families, friends, and in fact, the entire planet.

Specifically, we are here today to protest the unconstrained expansion of biomass incineration as a means of green energy production. Among other things, biomass incineration is certainly not that.

The release of millions of tons per year of CO2 from just one biomass incinerator is a direct assault on the biosphere of this planet We are in an environmental crisis situation and do not have the luxury of waiting decades or more for the released CO2 to be reabsorbed by the growth of new trees. With 50+ incinerators planned for Washington alone, this giant release of CO2 will contribute to the global warming crisis and accelerate it. Biomass Incineration is a direct assault on the biosphere.

And while accelerating global warming, biomass incineration will also expose us all to greatly increased amounts of 2.5µm, or smaller, particulate matter (PM2.5), and other toxins, which will shorten our lifespans by increasing respiratory diseases, heart diseases, and all manner of pathologies. Children and the elderly will be affected the most. Our children, who will have to live through the coming environmental crisis, will be doubly tormented.

All of this is solely for the sake of corporate profit.

In a system where most of our leaders are either corrupt or ignorant, we seek help where we can, in order to forestall the impending disaster. By coming here today, we demand that ORCAA act for the direct benefit of the people and not the corporations and politicians.

We demand that a moratorium be placed on biomass incinerator permits to allow time for new medical research results, and the claims of carbon neutrality to be examined in open, public hearings, and scientific debate. The future of green energy production cannot be in the hands of the unrestrained, environmentally destructive, biomass incineration proponents.

Sincerely,

Concerned Citizens of Mason, Thurston, and Jefferson Counties

Contact:

John Cox and Christine Armond
sheltonblog@gmail.com
www.sheltonblog.net

OUTSIDE the ORCAA OFFICES 9/1/10

Concerned Citizen of Thurston County in his 20's

Concerned Citizen of Mason County in his 80's

Photos by Christine