Why biomass is bad for Butte County

There are plans to construct a Biomass facility in Oroville, this will bring detrimental health risks to the good people of Butte County. I ask: Have Tribal representatives, CSU and Butte College’s environmental departments, BEC, Sierra Club Blue Oak Group, senior living facilities, daycare centers, the public and schools been informed of health risks?

The American Lung Association says burning biomass is also one of the most dangerous: particle pollution. These particles are so small that they can enter and lodge deep in the lungs, triggering asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes and even death. Burning biomass for electricity also produces nitrogen oxides (like nitrogen dioxide) and nasty cancer-causing chemicals, including benzene and formaldehyde.

These pollutants are harmful, they pose health risks for millions of vulnerable Americans, such as infants and children, older adults, individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular disease, and diabetics. Too often, power plants are located where lower income communities live or work.

The Oroville plant will be the flagship a dual-bed gasification facility. Read this:

Disadvantages of gasification

“During gasification, tars, heavy metals, halogens and alkaline compounds are released within the product gas and can cause environmental and operational problems.”

Both Butte County and Oroville City General Plans have state requirements to address air quality, public safety from hazards and environmental j justice issues.

No amount of money and profit is worth the generational health of Butte County residents, we all need clean air to breathe! — Kathy Brazil, Oroville