Community members holding a banner reading "Welcome to Springfield the Asthma Capital of the USA" to oppose a proposed biomass plant.
October 9, 2024 (Springfield, MA) — Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) argued Wednesday on behalf of Springfield’s City Council and community before the Massachusetts Court of Appeals to block Palmer Renewable Energy’s desperate attempt to revive its biomass plant using permits that expired over a decade ago. Despite past legal losses, Palmer continues to push forward, relying on outdated authorizations that no longer meet current environmental standards.
“This is nothing more than a last-ditch effort to keep alive a Franken-permit that should have expired years ago,” said Alexandra St. Pierre, CLF’s Director of Communities and Toxics. “The people of Springfield have said no to this plant for over a decade. Palmer developers need to listen. Their expired permits don’t reflect today’s laws, and more importantly, they don’t reflect the will of this community.”
Springfield City Council President and Attorney Michael A. Fenton attended Wednesday’s oral arguments before the Massachusetts Court of Appeals.
“The Land Court got it right when they found that Palmer is trying to create a Frankenstein permit by stitching together two expired permits with legal theories that do not apply,” said Fenton, who has been a member of the City Council since 2010 and has been at the forefront of fighting to stop the proposed plant. “I trust the Appeals Court will get this right and put an end to this 14 year dispute. It’s time to let this bad idea go.”
Palmer is attempting to sidestep modern regulations by piecing together permits issued more than a decade ago. If they had to apply for new ones under current, stricter laws, the project would likely be dead on arrival. Instead, Palmer is clinging to hopes of reviving a facility that would only worsen Springfield’s already poor air quality. CLF has long fought alongside Springfield residents to stop the biomass project. Today’s court case represents a crucial step in ensuring the community’s voice is taken seriously and stopping this harmful plant for good.
Experts are available for further comment.
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