climate

So here we are, watching a new but already obsolete methane gas-fueled electric generator being installed to help meet the responsibility of 14 municipal light plants to provide power to meet the peak needs of the electric system. This Project 2015A, the Peabody peaker plant, developed by the Massachusetts Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC), has no rational basis consistent with public health, environmental concerns, or climate warming. There are better solutions, nonpolluting, more reliable, and less expensive.

But our regulators have not adapted to the changing technology options and do not recognize the danger of the climate crisis in determining policy. The regulators at the regional and national level claim to use competition on price as a means of regulating and serving the common good. But we know that people and institutions motivated by profit tend to be vulnerable to economic and political influence that can punish innovation and harm the public good. Today, we see policies that protect fossil fuel plants that cause harm and create unfair challenges for renewable sources of energy and battery storage.

What will we do for our grandchildren?

On a bright November Saturday, advocates for clean energy from across Massachusetts joined Peabody residents in the "Peabody Peaker Push" at the courthouse in Peabody Square to advocate against the proposed  gas- and oil-fired electric generator (“Project 2015A”).

Among them was Peabody resident Hunter, a  young man of 8 years,  holding a sign that said, “Non Renewable Energy is Peak Stupidity.”

How can leaders of Peabody, elected officials, faith leaders, and others with prominence in the community justify the negative impacts on health, the environment, and the climate from the proposed peaker plant?

Some people are so self involved that they don’t notice the world around them, except in the ways it touches them.

Some people see a problem, shrug their shoulders and say ‘That is too big! I can’t do anything about it.”

Lynn Nadeau looks at a problem, rubs her hands together, rolls up her sleeves, and says “Let’s get to it, now!”

Contributed by Lynn Nadeau

I am concerned that the Marblehead Municipal Light Board (MMLP) bought into the Peabody peaker project 2015A, along with 13 other MLPs on the advice of Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC) . But they acted years ago in 2017—before the Next Generation Roadmap (Acts 2021 Chapter 8) was passed—before the IPCC raised the warning on our overuse of fossil fuels—and before a full MEPA Environmental Impact Study was made.

Citizens demand voice on energy future

Residential neighborhoods in Peabody and Danvers are close to the proposed gas turbine peaker, marked by an old smokestack

Judith Black was Mistress of Ceremonies for a rally called by the National Green New Deal Alliance to urge Representative Seth Moulton to support the budget reconciliation bill. Members from participating organizations included 350MASS, SAFE, SEIU 32 BJ, League of Women Voters, MARA (Mass Renew alliance) Renew New England Alliance, Breathe Clean North Shore, Sunrise, and many others.

Guest Post by Tracy Valletti
I’m concerned about the health and future of our city and am against the proposed fossil fuel peaker project. We need a commissioner who will lead with a vision aligned with the residents and city departments to maintain and improve our quality of life. The negative health and climate effects of a polluting plant in our city and our world are real. I can no longer stand by as these warnings are ignored. I will advocate for investments in renewable energy sources that keep our communities clean and affordable. I will engage with residents to come together as a community to create a future that is clean, affordable, and accessible to all.

This is a guest post by Adrienne Allen, MD, MPH based on her statement at the MMWEC public forum at the Peabody Senior Center in April, 2021. The title quotes what patients who have health conditions caused or exacerbated by pollution report to their doctor.

You have an obligation to enforce the Next Generation Roadmap (Acts 2021 Chapter 8) to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and transition to renewables, ensure that the law is followed, protect the public health and the environment, and most important, to assure a better future for our grandchildren.