Senator Gómez Pushes to Close Biomass Loophole in Massachusetts Energy Bill

State Senator Adam Gómez (D-Springfield) is urging the Massachusetts Senate to adopt Amendment #25 to the Senate's comprehensive energy affordability legislation, a proposal that would remove highly polluting woody biomass as an eligible fuel under the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standard for municipal lighting plants. 

The amendment would align state law with Massachusetts' existing clean energy and climate policies by removing woody biomass from a remaining statutory provision that continues to classify it as an eligible non-carbon-emitting energy source for municipal light plants. Massachusetts previously ended renewable energy incentives for woody biomass, recognizing that biomass combustion produces significant greenhouse gas emissions and harmful air pollution. Amendment #25 would ensure state policy remains consistent with that determination. 

For Senator Gómez, the amendment represents the continuation of more than a decade of advocacy on behalf of Springfield residents concerned about the proposed Palmer Renewable Energy biomass facility. 

Since his time on the Springfield City Council, Gómez has opposed the proposed biomass plant, citing its potential impacts on air quality and public health for neighborhoods in Springfield and across the Hampden District. Although proposed for Palmer, environmental advocates and public health experts have long warned that prevailing winds would carry emissions into Springfield—an environmental justice community that already experiences disproportionately high rates of asthma and other respiratory illnesses. 

"For years, families throughout Springfield and Western Massachusetts have made their voices heard, calling for energy policies that prioritize public health over polluting technologies," said Senator Adam Gómez. "Massachusetts has made tremendous progress transitioning toward cleaner energy, but our laws should reflect that progress. This amendment closes an outdated loophole by ensuring that woody biomass is no longer treated as a clean energy source when the science tells us otherwise. Our climate policies should be grounded in evidence, protect environmental justice communities, and support a healthier future for the next generation." 

The amendment has earned support from a broad coalition of environmental, public health, environmental justice, labor, faith, and community organizations, including ARISE for Social Justice, Springfield Climate Justice Coalition, Partnership for Policy Integrity, Climate Action Now–Western Massachusetts, the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, and the Massachusetts Public Health Alliance. 

The Senate is expected to consider the amendment during debate on its energy affordability legislation.