The Redwood Coast Energy Authority
promised 100% clean electricity by 2025.
Now we're calling on them to deliver.
Burning sawmill waste isn't a climate solution
Forty percent of the Redwood Coast Energy Authority's (RCEA) renewable energy comes from a biomass plant emitting over 300,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent a year. California's Renewable Portfolio Standard was established to of cut carbon emissions. Using biomass to meet the standard subverts its purpose, diverting our dollars from real climate solutions.
RCEA'S RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO |
The Humboldt Sawmill Biomass Plant
This biomass plant on Main Street in Scotia,
makes electricity by burning sawmill waste.
Burning sawmill waste does NOT prevent wildfires.
makes electricity by burning sawmill waste.
Burning sawmill waste does NOT prevent wildfires.
Actually it does the opposite.
Planet warmer
The Scotia plant emits twice as much greenhouse gas per kilowatt hour as a coal powered plant, and as much per year as 70% of the county's passenger vehicles.
It takes 20-40 years for new tree growth to remove this carbon from the atmosphere. While we wait, it warms the planet. We are currently on track to exceed 1.5C and reach 5 planetary tipping points in the next decade. |
Major polluter
Constructed in 1986, the plant's stoker boilers are the oldest and dirtiest kind of biomass technology.
The plant is a federally designated Major Source of pollution, emitting 1,600 tons of criteria pollutants each year as well as air toxics like dioxins, benzene, and formaldehyde. The plant's particulate emissions alone are estimated to cause $12-28 million in health damage each year.
The plant is a federally designated Major Source of pollution, emitting 1,600 tons of criteria pollutants each year as well as air toxics like dioxins, benzene, and formaldehyde. The plant's particulate emissions alone are estimated to cause $12-28 million in health damage each year.
Habitual lawbreaker
Plant operators lied about their environmental performance to get the RCEA contract. Over the past decade, the plant has committed over 1000 violations of the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts, including several hundred while under contract with RCEA. It is currently operating illegally without a Title V permit.