The Ecology Action Centre is publicly opposing NewPage's plan to construct a biomass fueled power generation facility at its mill site in Point Tupper, Nova Scotia that would produce 60 megawatts of renewable energy for Nova Scotia Power.

Jamie Simpson, head of the group’s forestry program, said they have concerns about the environmental impact of securing the raw material for the new project.

"Studies have shown this can be incredibly detrimental to forest health and we don’t feel that this issue has been adequately addressed in the development of this project," he said.

Mr. Simpson said they support the use of waste from mills, but have grave concerns about what will come out of the province’s forests. While there is a need to find alternative fuel sources, he said biomass harvesting must be regulated to prevent long-term damage to the province’s woodlands.

"We don’t want to sacrifice the forest for a little bit of biomass renewable energy," he said.

"Clear-cutting is bad enough but when you start removing the tops (of trees) and the branches, that’s where a lot of the nutrients are," he said, adding that a lot of forest wildlife use deadwood and debris for their habitats.

"Any farmer can tell you that you have to be continually putting stuff back into the soil if you want to maintain some kind of forest help," he said.

"This material is often called waste in the forest industry and even by government, but it’s anything but waste. It’s incredibly valuable."

The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board hearing is scheduled for this afternoon in Halifax.

Source:
Ecologists oppose wood biomass plan - Woodlot waste needed to regenerate the forest, environmentalists argue (Chronicle Herald)