Dear Editor,
Attached is the Lung Association’s response to today’s op-ed on the proposed biomass plant in Gadsden County. The op-ed misrepresented our position and we would like to make sure the public hears from us directly. Thanks for your consideration.
Brenda
“As the Chief Operating Officer for the American Lung Association in Florida, I would like to clarify a statement made in Frank Holcomb’s recent editorial on the proposed biomass plant in Gadsden County. In his piece, he mentioned a position by the Clean Air Choice group within the American Lung Association that could be viewed as an endorsement of biomass energy. The information Mr. Holcomb cited was pulled from a website in Illinois and is not the position of the American Lung Association in Florida on the subject.
The American Lung Association has significant concerns regarding the proposed biomass plant and the potential effects it could pose for at-risk groups like those suffering from emphysema, asthma, diabetes and heart disease. Burning wood, or burning any substance, releases toxic chemicals and particles into the air which affect both the environment and respiratory health.
Additionally, diesel equipment critical to plant operation, like the trucks delivering wood, will add significant pollution on the roads and throughout nearby communities. A constant supply of fuel is needed requiring these trucks to make multiple, daily trips to and from the plant. The age of these vehicles and idling practices will also have a significant impact on the level of pollution emitted, and increase the potential damage to air quality and the health of Gadsden County citizens.
Furthermore, we have noticed a pattern nationwide of biomass plants being proposed for rural areas away from cities; where less protective pollution control restrictions and weaker permitting requirements apply. Plant proponents will say that they “meet the air pollution requirements” but the requirements themselves tend to be more lax.
Our organization is dedicated to healthy air and healthy lungs for all Floridians. I encourage the leaders of Gadsden County to consider the potential negative health effects on an already medically vulnerable and underserved community”
Brenda Olsen, RN
Chief Operating Officer
American Lung Association of the Southeast, Inc.
Serving Florida, Georgia and South Carolina
539 Silver Slipper Lane, Ste A
Tallahassee, FL 32303
(850) 241-1002 Direct Line
(850) 443-3017 Cell
www.LungFla.org
gainesvilleflorida
hey there
i’m trying to cite this letter from Brenda Olsen as a source for documention i’m putting together to fight a biomass incinerator in Virginia. i’m having trouble finding this letter where it was originally published. was it published in a newspaper? do you have a link? thanks for any leads.
The original op-ed was published in the Tallahassee Democrat. They have not published the letter from Brenda Olsen, but I will email it to you along with the original email from Brenda Olsen.
Tallahassee Democrat finally printed the rebuttal from the American Lung Association of Florida, here is the link to the article.