A Vision for Building a Community-Based Economy for the 2nd Franklin District

A Vision for Building a Community-Based Economy for the 2nd Franklin District

By Genevieve Fraser

I suspect we share similar ideals.  We want children to be well fed, live and play in a safe environment and receive a well-rounded education.  We want affordable, cutting-edge health care for all – and to assure our elders and veterans and those in need of special care receive the support services they need and deserve. Our towns must have sufficient funds to provide vitally needed services.

We all need good paying jobs, safe housing and the amenities that make life enjoyable. But our economy is in trouble.  We can no longer rely on “business as usual.” Added to that uncertainty are the all-to-obvious impacts of climate change that have spawned weird weather patterns and a fear that dust bowl era crop failures will drive up food prices and create scarcity. 

I believe creative solutions still can be found right here at home using our “Yankee ingenuity!”

As state representative for the 2^nd Franklin District, I will bridge the gap between ideals and the challenges ahead by rebuilding our local economy so that adequate revenues can flow into our nearly depleted public coffers.  I propose we create Industrial Bio-Parks built around CHP (combined heat and power) renewable energy.  These facilities would provide heat and electricity to a pellet plant, greenhouses, food processing centers and 21^st Century industries that will contribute to environmental solutions, not problems.  The 2nd Franklin District Industrial Bio-Parks will serve as incubators for new and emerging manufactured products with our community colleges providing education and training for well-paying jobs.  At the heart of this Green Economy would be recreation and tourism and an expanded agriculture and forest and wood products industry promoted by a Green Certified Buy Local Program. 

Let’s work together to make this a reality.

New MA Biomass Regs - Harmful or Helpful?

New MA Biomass Regs - Harmful or Helpful?

By Genevieve Fraser

Though the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resource’s (DOER) goal of incentivizing the development of high efficiency biomass facilities may be laudable, its recently finalized regulations for renewable energy credits (REC) for biomass may have significant detrimental consequences for the industry as well as the health of the forest and may accelerate climate change.

Instead of offering a full credit for all sustainably managed and harvested forest biomass, layers of additional requirements and costly accounting practices have been added to receive ½ or less of a renewable energy credit (REC).  However, if the forest is converted to a non-forest use such as a parking lot, mall or housing development, such a clear-cut receives full REC credit prized by developers.  Ironically, any resulting biomass is no longer a renewable energy because the trees can no longer grow back.

Red Pine Scale destroyed trees at Quabbin Park

Utilization of biomass for thermal (heat) and power (electricity) has long been considered a valuable tool for removing woody debris from landfills where it biodegrades, forming oxygen robbing methane considered to be twenty times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than CO2.  The utilization of biomass derived from forest thinning also encourages the removal of invasive species as well as disease infested dead or dying trees.

Researchers at the Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies recently reported that diseased trees in forests may be a significant source of methane that causes climate change with concentrations as high as 80,000 times normal ambient air quality levels. (8/7/2012 Science Daily)  “These are flammable concentrations,” according to Kristopher Covey, the study’s lead researcher.

But despite benefits to the overall health of the forest, wildlife habitat and a reduced risk of forest fire, the cost of removing such a low quality product from the forest can be prohibitive for most landowners without biomass facilities willing to offset the cost and be available for disposal. Unfortunately, the excessively stringent standards now imposed by the MA DOER may soon drive these renewable energy utility companies out of business.

Fraser 4 Rep Committee hosting Pre-Debate Reception at Common Italian in Belchertown

   

Fraser 4 Rep Committee hosting Pre-Debate Reception at Common Italian in Belchertown

Thursday, August 23 will be the third and final public debate scheduled for the 2nd Franklin District prior to the September 6 Democratic Primary for state representative for the newly created district.  The Fraser 4 Rep Committee is hosting a pre-debate reception for Genevieve Fraser of Orange, one of the four Democratic candidates, at The Common Italian Pizzeria, 4 Park Street, Belchertown, across the street from the Town Hall from 5:00 - 6:30 pm.  

The third debate is scheduled for the Belchertown Town Hall, 2 Jabish Street (intersection of Route 202 and Route 181) at 7:00 PM with the doors open at 6:00 PM.  It is hosted by the Belchertown Democrat Town Committee with Peg Louraine of Belchertown Cable TV serving as moderator.  Fraser is a former aide to state Senator Robert Wetmore (retired D-Barre) and a recipient of a Massachusetts Environmental Commendation.   

The Fraser 4 Rep reception is open to the public, light refreshments will be served.

FRASER 4 REP Coffee Hour at the Boxcar Restaurant in Erving Saturday August 18 at 3:30

2^ND FRANKLIN DISTRICT

 FRASER 4 REP

 MEET AND GREET

at the Boxcar Restaurant

3 E Main St., Rte 2
Erving, MA

GENEVIEVE FRASER

Democratic Candidate for State Rep

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18

3:30 – 5 PM

FREE COFFEE – LIGHT REFRESHMENTS

LET’S TALK! 

I WANT TO HEAR YOUR CONCERNS...