Biomass, the foundering energy industry’s latest Greenwash is starting to choke on its own lies. Originally it had been sold to Oregon (and other states with lots of trees) as a promising future source of green jobs and renewable energy as well as a way to pay for projects to “prevent forest fires” by what? Burning trees! In the form of “thinnings” and “logging leftovers” C’mon…it’s a forest, not a tuna-noodle casserole. Forests don’t have “leftovers”. So back in May the EPA issued a rule that has the biomass industry, and Oregon's congressional delegation, worried that bioscam may lose its energy lobby generated green status. It could – and it should – be placed in with coal as a greenhouse gas polluter and methamphetamines as a health hazard. The rule focuses on big coal-fired plants and oil refineries in counting up just how much greenhouse gas the country releases into the atmosphere. Bob Cleaves, president and CEO of the Biomass Power Association, which represents 80 facilities in 20 states that employs 18,000 people says this:
"The industry would be stopped in its tracks if it is regulated like a coal plant."
And Get This:
It’s the Earth First! Journal Roadshow this Wednesday July 21 at the Lorax (1648 Alder) at 8 pm. With ecological disasters mounting up, independent news coverage provides the needed critique of those responsible for destroying our planet and the tools we can use to slow down the machine. Members of the Earth First! Journal Collective will be in town the day after tomorrow.
On July 6th forest defenders from Cascadia and across the country set up road blockades at the Umpcoos Ridge timber sale to save some of the last native forests in Oregon from clearcutting. The Elliot State Forest is one of the few remaining intact coastal forest ecosystems, and provides critical habit for Spotted Owls, Coho Salmon, and Marbled Murrelets. So here’s your opportunity to show solidarity with people who bring your politics to life.
- KBOO