Let’s Have a Civil Debate on Bio Energy

By MARK W DELL’ORFANO

When in good faith we approached REACH in an attempt to settle our differences and solicit its support for a proposal to construct a new, clean woodchip, renewable energy facility at the Bio Energy site, REACH made it clear that it would oppose any efforts to site a new facility in Hopkinton.

Despite REACH’s opposition, we believe the Bio Energy site is an ideal location for renewable energy production. It is close to New Hampshire’s clean wood supply (which means less energy for transportation), it is close to electrical load centers (Concord and Manchester), it has a long history of industrial use and it’s located in a community that chose over 20 years ago to be part of New Hampshire’s renewable future.

REACH’s opposition has now turned into a campaign of threats and name-calling. The apparent goal is to intimidate residents into opposing our proposal. According to the Feb. 25 selectmen’s meeting minutes, REACH has threatened litigation against individual Hopkinton selectmen, should any selectmen “negotiate” with Bio Energy without REACH’s “approval” or without following REACH’s “rules.”

We have committed to building the cleanest, most efficient renewable energy power plant in the region. However we will do this only if there is support from Hopkinton residents. New Hampshire’s best source of renewable energy is sustainably harvested biomass. Recognizing this, Gov. Lynch and the Legislature adopted Renewable Portfolio Standards along with other measures to combat global climate change that encourage increased renewable energy generation from clean biomass and other sustainable sources. New Hampshire’s RPS emission requirements are some of the most stringent in the nation, calling for significant controls on the already low emissions from wood-to-energy facilities.

REACH clearly does not support continued renewable energy generation in Hopkinton despite the significant economic and environmental benefits. Despite its negative position on renewable energy, the personal threats, name-calling and hysterical rhetoric by REACH must stop so that other, more moderate voices in Hopkinton can express their opinions free from threats of lawsuits or retaliation.

(Mark W. Dell’Orfano represents the XGenesys Development Corp.)

Originally published by MARK W. DELL’ORFANO For the Monitor.

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