[WestMALocals] Press Release: Broadhurst Outraged by Russell Biomass Petition

[Owen Broadhurst]

 Owen R. Broadhurst
96 Elbert Road
Agawam, MA  01001-3202
413.786.1508


Press Release: Broadhurst Outraged by Russell Biomass Petition

AGAWAM- Green-Rainbow Party candidate for state representative in the Third
Hampden District, Owen R. Broadhurst of Agawam, expressed outrage over the
Russell Biomass LLC petition to the Department of Telecommunications and
Energy for the right to violate the Town of Russell's zoning laws.

"This outrage recalls for me the nine year struggle in Agawam over the
siting of Berkshire Power. This also tells me that the battle to challenge
the Department of Telecommunications and Energy's unconstitutional authority
to review zoning codes and set them aside as a quasi-judicial agency
usurping what is and ought to be solely the preserve of our judicial system
has only just begun," Broadhurst observed.

Broadhurst called for the utility deregulation law to be changed, so that
the state's executive branch is denied power to challenge or review
municipal zoning codes. Broadhurst specifically demands that legislation be
passed eliminating the second sentence of the second paragraph of
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40a, Section 3. "This one single
unbelievably long sentence inserted into Massachusetts General Laws is what
allows for the Department of Telecommunications and Energy to provide zoning
exemptions to power plants masquerading as 'public service corporations'.
The Department has a terrible track record determining the public's
'convenience or welfare', using this loophole instead to favor the poisoning
of entire populations via the siting of pollution spewing obscenities,"
Broadhurst argued.

Broadhurst observed that required hearings on the subject rarely result in
any genuine consideration of community sentiment, but have been on occasion
chaired by persons later rewarded for their negligence with jobs at the very
companies that are subjects of the hearings. "The foxes are guarding the
henhouse," said Broadhurst. "I remember well speaking out at hearings in
Agawam, only to later find the hearing officer concerned, a Mr. Rasmuessen,
offered a job at Berkshire Power. Berkshire Power's petition to set aside
Agawam's zoning laws was the subject of this hearing. I believe I witnessed
a quid pro quo."

Broadhurst pledged that he shall attend the 7 PM, September 13 hearing to be
held at Russell Elementary School on Highland Avenue. Broadhurst pledged
also to submit written comments by the 5 PM September 20 deadline, and make
them available for publication in local news media. "Community members
themselves should control their community's direction in growth. Russell has
determined that it seeks only for virgin wood to be burned in this glorified
incinerator. Shame on Russell Biomass for trying to poison the people."

Broadhurst expressed solid opposition to the power plant, noting that it
would emit over 1600 tons of pollutants for the whole entire Third Hampden
District to breathe and that it would remove 800,000 gallons of water from
the Westfield River daily. "I support the Concerned Citizens of Russell in
their struggle, and recognize the project as a major threat to not only
Russell residents, but also to both of our beloved rivers and air quality
throughout much of Western Massachusetts. This is a major regional threat to
the public health and public welfare. Russell Biomass LLC needs to leave
Massachusetts, and leave immediately."


-- 
Owen R. Broadhurst
Candidate for State Representative
Third Hampden District
http://www.owenbroadhurst.org