Russell Biomass
Pitting the environment against new sources of energy.

Proposed 50-megawatt wood fueled power plant
to be located on the banks of the Westfield River.

In a move that pits energy generation against the protection of our natural resources, a poorly designed power plant is planned for the banks of the Westfield River. It would pump excessive water from the Westfield River for its cooling technology resulting in dangerously low flow volumes. This would in turn endanger the salmon, trout, and other aquatic creatures living downstream from the project.  In spite of this, the state has granted a Water Management Act Permit, allowing the plant to withdraw water for cooling.

Also please see the Massachusetts Environmental Energy Alliance website, for more information about Biomass power generation.

The Westfield River:
crown jewel of $600 million salmon restoration effort.

The Westfield River is a major tributary to the Connecticut River.  The Connecticut River is one of only 14 American Heritage Rivers in the country and is New England’s largest watershed.  The Westfield River was designated in 1993 as the Commonwealth’s first Wild & Scenic River, and is known for its rare and endangered wildlife species, fisheries resources, and recreational resources.

The Westfield River is considered the "crown jewel" of the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Commission (CRASC) restoration effort, on which $600 million has been spent.

Environmental groups appealed water withdrawal permit, July 21, 2008.

The Connecticut River Watershed Council,
The Mass./R.I. Council of Trout Unlimited,
The Concerned Citizens of Russell,
and a Ten Citizen Group filed an appeal of the Water Management Act permit. Please check this site for future developments in this case.

Critics of permit are stripped of the right to testify
The Valley Advocate , February 18 2009

Steadily Chipping Away at Environmental Protection
Daily Hampshire Gazette, January 28, 2009

 

Wood-fueled plants can be protective of water resources.

All power plants must strike a balance between benefits and impacts to the environment. However, a look at other biomass plants around the country indicates that many have selected air cooling or else have been modified to be more protective of water resources.  Please refer to “Lessons Learned from Existing Biomass Power Plants” published by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in February 2000. Russell Biomass does not need to withdraw water from the Westfield River, but has clear options which protect aquatic life and are still competitive with other comparable facilities.

MassDEP is not protecting the Westfield River.

In the rush for renewable energy, potentially negative impacts on the environment have been largely ignored – even by the state Department of Environmental Protection.  Instead of insisting on a facility design and technologies that would protect the Westfield River, MassDEP has given the green light to the pumping of excessive volumes from the river even when the river is low, endangering wildlife that depend on the river including the valuable salmon and trout fishery. 

Failure to comply with the Water Management Act.

MassDEP has issued a permit allowing the facility to pump up to .89 million gallons per day of water from the river, to be used onsite for the cooling tower.  In addition to the fact that this permit puts at risk the environmental health of the river, it is also in violation of several of the provisions of the Water Management Act, the rules which govern how Water Withdrawal Permits are supposed to be issued.

Links to more information:

Trout Unlimited, Greater Boston Chapter (see page two)
Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT)
Ocean River Institute