AIR POLLUTION AGENCY TO APPROVE HIGHLY POLLUTING INCINERATOR

Activists from 3 Counties Mass in Olympia on 9/1 to Protest

August 30---A controversial biomass incinerator proposed for Mason County has been given preliminary approval by an Olympia-based air pollution agency. Activists from Thurston, Jefferson, and Mason Counties will mass in protest from 4-6pm on Sept.1 outside the Olympia offices of the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) on Limited Lane off Harrison St. in West Olympia.

A transnational company called Adage has proposed a 65mw biomass incinerator just outside Shelton in Mason County. The proposal has sparked furious citizen resistance over claims the incinerator would emit pollution so toxic a single exposure could kill.

ORCAA lead engineer, Gordon Lance, told No Biomass Burn, a statewide group opposing biomass incinerators, that the Adage application to ORCAA “already complies” with state and federal regulations.

The Adage incinerator is one of five biomass incinerators proposed for the Olympic Peninsula, raising fears regional forests will be clear-cut to feed them. The Adage incinerator will burn a ton of forest wood every 53 seconds. Other biomass incinerators are proposed in Mason County by Simpson in Shelton, plus incinerators at Evergreen State College, at Port Townsend, and in Port Angeles. 

Activists expect ORCAA will soon issue its formal “Preliminary Decision to Approve/Disapprove” for the Adage air pollution permit.

Contact:

Duff Badgley
No Biomass Burn
206-283-0621
duff@nobiomassburn.org
www.nobiomassburn.org

Adage, your carbon neutrality is just a fallacy!

Originally posted by John Cox


Adage, your carbon neutrality is just a fallacy!

Posted on August 27, 2010
by sheltonblog
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BIOMASS INCINERATION releases tremendous amounts of CO2 (carbon dioxide). The proponents for this process say that the release is balanced by new trees being planted, which pull the CO2 from the atmosphere as it is incorporated into the trees as they grow.

The problem with this view is that it takes decades, even hundreds of years, for the equivalent amount of CO2 to be completely reabsorbed, depending on the biomass type. Even if you look at it in a simplistic way, it would take at least a century to reabsorb the CO2 when trees and slash are used as fuel.

So, with biomass incineration, just ONE incinerator, like the planned ADAGE unit, would release 1,600 TONS of CO2 per DAY. That’s 600,000 TONS per YEAR and that’s just ONE incinerator. There are plans in Washington to build 50+ units. All of these incinerators would be releasing MILLIONS of TONS of CO2 into the atmosphere, and this is just in Washington State. In an attempt to neutralize this gigantic amount of CO2 released, we would presumably have newly planted trees that take decades to hundreds of years to remove that same amount of CO2 from the atmosphere.

I ask you, do we really have the luxury of waiting decades or hundreds of years to regain carbon neutrality? It is quite clear that the world has a problem NOW. CO2 is a problem NOW. We cannot wait. We must stop this NOW.

The EPA is reconsidering its position on the carbon neutrality of biomass incineration. That is a hopeful sign, but please remember that the EPA and related agencies allowed the BP disasters to occur, and these agencies are essentially political in nature. We cannot expect the EPA or its Olympic regional version, ORCAA, or any other political agent to act against the wishes of their corporate masters. So we ordinary citizens must force them to act in a way that is beneficial for EVERYONE and EVERYTHING living on this Earth.

So please, don’t just sit there. Do something…

See you WED., SEPT, 1st, 4-6 pm at the OLY ORCAA office?

Tim Sheldon 101: A Dummy's Guy...er, I mean Guide

By now, I can only hope that you are all aware of and familiar with Mason County's most controversial: Timothy M. Sheldon.  While you have probably never seen him at a charitable occasion or community related event, I assure you that he is currently both a Mason County Commissioner and a State Senator (which some contend "violates RCW 42.52.020")  For these two public offices he has a salary from the taxpayer of well over $100k.  It should be noted that he is infamous enough to have his own Wikipedia page, but that most of the information there is disputed and therefore unreliable.  Here is some interesting information on the fellow that is undisputed fact:

1.  Don't let the suspenders fool you.  While Tim may "play" logger on the weekends, he is Ivy League educated (University of Pennsylvania) and holds an MBA from The University of Washington.

2.  There's more than lint in his pockets.  His family owns extensive amounts of timberland, of which he is a general partner...also let's not forget about the 100+k of our money- per year.

http://www.co.mason.wa.us/commissioners/district2.php

3.  Tim Sheldon is NOT a Democrat.  Contrary to what it may say on your ballot, Tim is a Republican.    He has consistent right-wing view points including "nay [votes] on stronger car-emission standards, nay on stem-cell research, nay on strengthening unemployment-insurance benefits, and nay on gay-rights." One that consistently votes with the Republican party is not a "maverick", they are a Republican. Additionally, he was elected to the Mason County Commission in 2004 as an "Independent."

http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/suspect-senator/Content?oid=21170 

4.  Last, but certainly not least... Here is a quick look at Timmy's campaign for this year's State Senate race...be warned this info is not for the faint of heart ethically.

-He has payed his daughter/campaign manager that lives in Seattle $10,000 to date.  It must be tough working on the campaign day in and out from such a far distance. http://www.pdc.wa.gov

-He has a $500 contribution from John Quigg (owner of Quigg Bros., Inc.- an out of district gentleman whose construction company was coincidentally awarded a contract to repair the Purdy Creek bridge here in Mason County-a $15 million project)  http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/us101/purdycreekbridge/

-He has taken $1600 worth of contributions from Washington Beverage Association AND has coincidentally voted nay on S.B. 6143 to have a temporary tax increase on carbonated beverages (which is naturally what WA Bev. wanted him to vote).

http://www.pdc.wa.gov

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=6143&year=2009

can you say cash and carry government?

-He has $1600 worth of contributions from Avista- operator of the Kettle Falls biomass incinerator. And he is not trying to bring one here?  Add to that list contributions from Weyerhauser, Port Blakely Tree Farm, Energy NW and others with a vested interest in the success of biomass in Mason County.  Can you say unethical conflict of interest?

-He has massive out of state corporations pumping thousands into his campaign every day.  The short list (for his votes perhaps?):

    -Big tobacco giants Phillip Morris and Reynolds American

    -Retailers hoping to get Sheldon's liquor privatization bill passed such as Walgreens, Walmart,

    - 7-11, Inc- The same company he "joked" about coming to Mason County on King 5 news last week.

    -BNSF Railway Co.

    -AT&T

    -Ceturytel, Inc.

    -Johnson and Johnson

    -BP America Employees PAC

    -Progressive

    -Pfizer

Need more?  just visit his public disclosure site http://www.pdc.wa.gov

In summary, it seems (and this is just my opinion) that this is an elected official we need to replace.  His concerns are clearly centered on his ability to use his public office for personal gain and to aide rich companies in their quest to become wealthier at the expense of the voters.  He manipulates the loggers so they think he's one of them.  He does the same to the Democrats. All I can say is 20 years of his "leadership" has gotten us where we are today-  "dried up" jobs and less money in everyone's pockets (except for his, of course).  I feel like I've been given a "hot lead enema" and Tim Sheldon pulled the trigger.  It's too bad we will have him for four more years...

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009023958_websheldon11m.html

-W.E

ORCAA Peeves Me OFF

One of my latest but greatest pet peeves is that opposition to the biomass incinerators has been spun as a just a political issue. If you have lungs this will affect you. Incinerators are like lead paint, DDT, asbestos, and cigarettes. At one time, all were thought safe. We are behind the times on what is safe and what is not. And if you will excuse my rant, it is a major problem in this country. Our government caters to companies and corporations and not to its people. Our health and well being are put behind the desires of lobbyists for corporations. (And on a side note, watch Food Inc. or Future of Food to see more of what I am talking about.)

Here is some of what I have learned about PM2.5...

PM2.5 covers all particulate matter that is 2.5 microns and smaller. It, at its largest, is 1/30th the size of the human hair. It is not the dark clouds of black smoke and dust that can get in our lungs and make us cough. It is considerable smaller. It is primarily caused by combustion. It has the ability to go right through our lungs and into our bodies. The Journal of the American Medical Association says PM2.5 leads to large amounts of plaque in the arteries which in turn leads to heart attacks and other cardiovascular disease. Research shows even short term exposure to elevated levels can significantly contribute to heart disease. The Washington State Department of Ecology says, "In fact, studies have not been able to identify any levels of PM2.5 that is completely safe-that is has no health effects at all.” In California a study was done comparing young children growing up with high levels of emissions, and children growing up under low level conditions. Across the board they found that children who grew up in areas with high emissions had more asthma and breathing problems then children who grew up in low levels. Unfortunately, we can't just move away after our children's health starts to decline and expect things to get better. It is often a lifelong problem. Children are especially affected because children's lungs are growing and they are more active than adults. They take in more air then we do which in turn means they are taking in more PM.

The proposal for Adage plant in Mason County claims it will emit 98 tons per year of PM2.5. Sit back and think about how much that really is. Again, the largest PM2.5 is 1/30th the width of a hair!!! Now here is what strikes me, and is my main reason for starting my research. The Adage plant proposed for MC is a 60mega watt plant. The one that was proposed for Hamilton County was a 50 mega watt plant. They are the exact same technology. The following is from the two permit applications:

Emissions	Mason County (60mw)	Hamilton County (50mw)	Difference In tons per year
PM (total particulate matter)	137	274	137
PM10 Note1 (PM 10 um particles)	103	245	142
PM2.5 Note2 (PM 2.5 um particulates)	98	233	135
Nox Note3 (nitrogen oxide and dioxide)	240	249	9
SO2 Note4 (sulfur dioxide)	149	246	97
H2SO4 (sulfuric acid)	4	40	36
CO (carbon monoxide)	248	248	0
VOCNote5 (volatile organic compounds)	34	63	29

Notes:

1. Dust, visible to the eye. Causes coughing, asthma, lung cancer and other cardiovascular disease.
2. See description above.
3. Nitrogen Dioxide is created by burning and is highly toxic causing serious lung damage with a delayed effect. It also causes shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing, coughing, colds, flu and bronchitis.
4. When combined with Nitrogen dioxide forms acid rain.
5. Children exposed to ozone (NOx and VOC combined with sunlight) have a 3 times higher rate of asthmas than children in low ozone areas.

When the above was presented to ORCAA they told us the differences we found were "typos" and not intentional manipulations of the data. How would they know? Did they actually check the data, or just accept Adage's figures as truth? When we have agencies that are supposed to protect us, ignoring obvious discrepancies in the application, how can we trust they are doing the right thing by the people instead of the right thing for the company? This is one of the reasons I won't feel any better if this permit is approved by ORCAA or the EPA.

BTW- I am not a kook nor am I an outside agitator or have I been influenced by one. EVERYTHING written above is from my own research other then the typo comment, but I feel that it comes from a credible source.

PS - check out www.incineratorfreemasoncounty.org

Which One is Different?

One of our County Commissioners has lost his mind. For a person with an MBA and who holds a relatively high position in state government, it appears he has run off the tracks or he has one or more serious medical issues.

On Tuesday, August 3, 2010, opponents to a biomass facility on Johns Prairie presented the county commissioners with 3000 petition signatures to put biomass on the local ballot. The Mason County Physicians read a letter warning of the health risks of locating the facility in Shelton and the Hiawatha property owners presented a letter opposing the plant after two real estate deals for half million dollar homes were scuttled because of the proposed plant. KING5 TV and FOX national news covered the story.

KING5 provided coverage at 5:00 PM and included an interview with Commissioner/State Senator Tim Sheldon, wherein Mr. Sheldon compared a 60 MW woody biomass incinerator to a 7-11 convenience store.

When I was in school, we used to periodically have testing to determine if we learned anything and presumably, to inform the school as to what subjects we might need help with or if a student may have some more serious issues. I remember distinctly, early on, some of those questions. They usually had a series of pictures with one or two items quite different than the others. You know, a series of animals and a truck or something, and then they asked; "Which one is different", or "which one is larger" or any variation on one being different than the others in the group.

So last night I was thinking, what must little Timmy Sheldon's teacher been thinking when he answered those questions, and did he score well on the basic IQ tests in school? I hear Tim Sheldon is a smart person, but what has been coming out of his mouth lately has me wondering if he hasn't undergone some blunt head trauma or if he is suffering from early onset dementia.

My Mother has dementia and is in an assisted living facility, and frankly, she and Tim Sheldon seem to be struggling with simple associations and comparisons. But my Mother has a doctor, has been diagnosed and is on medications to help. She has a good excuse. I'm worried about my mom and now I'm worried about Senator/Commissioner Sheldon.

I suspect most readers will easily understand the difference between a 7-11 and the biomass plant proposed for Shelton, but just in case I'll list a few here.

1. We would know exactly how many jobs a 7-11 would provide.

2. Slurpees can cause "brain freeze" but won't kill you or cause a stroke, heart attack or endanger your health.

3. Southland Corporation (the owners of 7-11) isn't the largest CO2 producer in the United States and has little use for carbon credits.

4. 7-11 wouldn't require extensive road upgrades or maintenance, new highway over-passes, interchanges, sewer, water, gas lines or additional police, fire and public services at public expense.

5. 7-11 wouldn't have special tax breaks provided by Senator Sheldon, so they would pay sales, use, property and business and occupations taxes, where the biomass plant doesn't and won't.

6. 7-11 might get one or two truckloads of supplies a week, where the biomass plant will get 8 truckloads an hour, which is why Senator/Commissioner Sheldon wants all those fancy road upgrades at taxpayer expense.

7. 7-11 doesn't emit 380 tons of particulate air pollution per year.

8. 7-11 would sell to and benefit locals. They wouldn't sell Shelton Slurpees to California.

9. 7-11 wouldn't stink-up the place or alter the Ph of Puget Sound or Hood Canal endangering our shellfish industry.

10. 7-11's don't have 200 foot tall smokestacks. They don't look anything alike.

These are just a few of the differences between a 7-11 and the biomass incinerator Senator/Commissioner Sheldon wants. I'm sure our readers can identify more.

It makes a person wonder....what is in it for Senator/Commissioner Sheldon? There MUST be a payback somewhere for someone to be so blatantly and purposely ignorant. OR it's blunt head trauma or early dementia. It's up to you to decide dear reader.

Can we entrust anyone with such a marked observational deficit to elected office?

The voters are faced with some serious considerations this fall.