[podcast]http://biomess.us/podcasts/saveamericasforests_07_29-2010.mp3[/podcast]

Contact: Patricia Charles, 301-887-1060 x111, patricia@kelleycampaigns.com

Experts reveal truths about misleading secrets of so called “clean and green” biomass incinerators that are dirtier than coal and will drive up our health care costs

Press conference call will inform media about wood and garbage burning incinerators disguised as clean energy under energy and climate bills

Washington D.C. – On Thursday, July 29 at 1:00 pm Eastern Time, the National Anti-Biomass Incineration and Forest Protection Campaign is hosting a press conference call about recent science and medical data showing that biomass incinerators, wrongfully promoted as clean and green under various proposed energy and climate bills, will make Americans sick, destroy our forests, dry up our rivers, and pollute the air.

Activists recently met with key Senators and Representatives to expose the environmental, economic and public health risk of biomass burning, including staff of Senator John Kerry, Representative Henry Waxman and members of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. They explained that the Senate and House energy and farm bills, and proposed federal Renewable Electricity Standards, include dirty energy made from incinerators that burn trees and garbage for falsely labeled “clean energy.” They also told Congress that Senator Wyden’s forest bill and others promoting more logging of our nation’s forests for fuel for these incinerators will destroy our carbon-absorbing forests, leading to more global warming.

The Campaign cites mounting opposition from the medical community opposed to federal handouts for biomass incinerators. Additionally, recent science has destroyed the myth that biomass burning is “carbon neutral” – the erroneous assumption that lets biomass get the same subsidies as clean energy sources that don’t have smokestacks belching pollution 24/7/365. Based on recent science, Massachusetts is changing its laws, and the activists urged Congress to use Massachusetts law as a template and require proper accounting of the massive CO2 emissions generated from biomass incineration. Climate legislation and international treaties, for example, don’t count emissions from the burning of biomass, treating it as though it produced none at all.

To attend the call, reporters can dial: (712) 432-0075, and use the participant access code: 445281.

The following experts will be on the call:

    • Dr. William Sammons, medical doctor with expertise in health impacts from biomass incinerators
    • George Wuerthner, biologist, forest expert, ecologist, scientist, author
    • Attorney Margaret Sheehan, The Biomass Accountability Project, Masschusetts, leader in effort to change state and federal laws on biomass incinerators.
    • Cheryl Johncox, Buckeye Forest Council, Ohio, Interim Executive Director, where plans to switch from burning coal to wood at the Beckjord plant threaten to destroy forests in Ohio, Florida, and maybe even Canada.
    • Mike Ewall, Founder and Director of Energy Justice Network, a national network of citizens and organizations opposing biomass incinerators

Additional sources available for interviews include:

  • Samantha Chirillo, Cascadias Ecosystems Defenders, Oregon – 541-543-1253
  • Rachel Smolker, Biofuelwatch, Vermont – 802 482 2848

Carl Ross of Save America’s Forests will be the moderator 202-544-9219 SaveAmericasForests.org. For background information see: “Clearcut Disaster” by the Environmental Working Group, .http://www.ewg.org/clearcut-disaster, and www.energyjustice.net and www.nobiomassburning.org To schedule interviews, please contact Patricia Charles, patricia@kelleycampaigns.com, 301-887-1060 x111.

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