Letter to WA House Environmental Chairman

Opposition to Engrossed Senate Bill 5575

Submitted to Shelton Blog by Connie Simpson Mason County Progressive

To: Dave Upthegrove, Chairman
State of Washington House of Representatives
Environmental Committee

Dear Rep. Upthegrove,

I oppose ESB 5575 on the following grounds:

• Poor communities need more over-sight protection than more wealthy communities. It is a fact that 'dirty' industry often ends up in disadvantaged, under-educated communities whether this is because industry targets these communities or because wealthier communities are able to invite, oppose or direct which industries set up shop.


• I believe the citizens of Washington did not vote to have renewables in the mix of energy sources so that industry could, later, add on obviously dirtier sources. I-937 should not be tampered with.


• As a medical professional for 30 years, I know the dangers of inhaled emissions first hand. The physicians of our State have written County Commissioners in Thurston and Mason Counties to oppose the siting of new biomass incinerators. This implies that the emissions from any boiler, burner, incinerator are dangerous to human health. If I had known about this bill in time, I would have worked to have our Medical Society speak out on this specific bill. Children cannot vote, and yet, they are among the most adversely affected by inhaled emissions including particulate material.


• The 'black liquor' the industry is so keen to use is among the most polluted of substances. I believe we should rely on non-industry scientists to explain the dangers of combusting these materials. And, we should avoid being rushed into placing this substance on the list of 'sustainable or green or harmless' materials to be included in a clean energy definition.


• Biosolids are not filtered for dangerous toxins from medical waste. Many cancer patients use extremely toxic medicines which may be disposed of by flushing. These and other drugs such as steroids and antibiotics remain in the biosolids and no one has assured me that their incineration does not contribute to the toxins emitted from smoke stacks.


• Construction waste is rarely separated, and, without over-sight from the WUTC, who polices the industry? Who searches the loads of waste dumped into the piles of material to be incinerated? Would the fox, again, be guarding the hen house?


• And, if the list of materials the industry can burn is expanded to a few communities-- a few boilers now, will that just be a crack in the gate for the many other incinerator/boilers in our State? I think history would say yes.

Poor communities need more oversight, not less. Inhaled emissions are hazardous to human health and the environment. The voters did not expect this end run around their wishes to provide this state with safe energy sources.

On these grounds, I urge you to vote against ESB 5575.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I will be sending a like letter to my representatives.

Sincerely,

Constance Simpson RN
Shelton, WA

SHELTON BLOG NOTE:

CONTACT:

Rep. Kathy Haigh:
(360)786-7966
kathy.haigh@leg.wa.gov

Rep. Fred Finn:
(360)786-7902
fred.finn@leg.wa.gov

Sen. Tim Sheldon:
(360)786-1999
sheldon.timothy@leg.wa.gov