Biomass Revocation Statement
By Jaqueline Vélez
Racial Justice Organizer, Massachusetts Jobs with Justice
Welcome everyone,
Thank you for joining us for this press conference. I want to take this time to thank the legislators that have stood by the residents of Springfield including but limited to: U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senator Ed Markey, Senator Eric Lesser, Senator Adam Gomez, State Representatives Carlos Gonzalez and Orlando Ramos, Lastly but certainly not least City Councilor Jesse Lederman who has fought against this Biomass Plant coming to our region since he was a teenager. I’ll share with you a quote from Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley’s momma: “The power of the people is much stronger than the people in power.” We are fortunate to have these legislators in our corner. We support you all as you have been supporting us in this region. Thank you!
We are here today to commend the decision of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (Mass DEP), to revoke the final permit for Palmer Renewable Energy’s Biomass Plant. The plan was to erect a structure that would produce tons of pollution literally in a community that is already frequently targeted for environmental injustice and as far as we can feel it, environmental racism. The plan was to further burden our underfunded hospitals and overworked nurses--like those at Mercy Hospital-- as we watch our respiratory illness numbers rise even though we are ranked the most dangerous place to live in the country if you have asthma. The plan was to serve corporate greed instead of serving the residents of Springfield. As a mother of two children, a homeowner in Springfield, a community organizer with Massachusetts Jobs with Justice, I say, NO!
No thanks. We have our own plan!
Our plan is to continue to support and empower the Springfield residents, have our voices heard and amplified by those in power, bring community voices to the tables where decisions are being made about our lives and the lives of our children. Our plan is to say NO, to corporate greed, and NO to exploiting vulnerable communities. to strengthening our communities by supporting our essential workers (such as: nurses, teachers, grocery store workers, and all that kept our cities and towns going through a global pandemic), currently incarcerated and returning citizens, immigrants, and assuring our children receive a quality public school education with our tax dollars instead of divesting in their future and subsidizing projects that while may create jobs for some kills others. We will not continue to subsidize projects for corporations that cannot see past their greed. The decision to revoke the permit for this Biomass plant is the best one the Mass DEP could have made to protect the residents and children of Springfield.
We must remain vigilant. Stay safe, and connect with Mass JwJ, N2N, SCJC, and Arise to stay updated.
Read more:
The Shoestring: https://theshoestring.org/2021/04/06/permit-revoked-for-springfield-biomass-power-plant-thanks-to-grassroots-organizing/