Updated at 9:38 a.m. on 5/29/19.
Massachusetts officials are proposing an expansion of what's considered "renewable energy" in the state.
The new regulations proposed by the Department of Energy Resources would allow companies to receive renewable energy tax credits for energy produced by burning "woody fuel."
The proposal is of particular concern in Springfield, where Palmer Renewable Energy is planning a controversial wood-burning plant.
William Moomaw, a professor emeritus at Tufts University who describes himself as a chemist turned climate scientist, said the state already classifies certain kinds of wood-burning as renewable energy.
“The change that is taking place is to make more wood available [for tax credits],” Moomaw said. “They just began giving out these grants a year or so ago, and they want to triple the amount they’re giving out.”
In a statement reported by MassLive, a Palmer Renewable Energy spokesperson said the company is still reviewing the proposed regulations.
A public hearing is scheduled for next Wednesday evening, June 5, at the John J. Duggan Academy in Springfield.
This story was updated to reflect a scheduling change. The hearing was originally scheduled for Wednesday, May 29 at the UMass Center in Springfield.
