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Tuesday, February 9, 2010   27º F

Updated 11/28/2009 08:05 PM

New bill may help save the environment

By: AP Wire Service

New bill may help save the environment

BOSTON (AP) - Environmental and health advocates, including the American Lung Association, are pushing a bill that would ban the use of old construction and demolition debris in wood burning power plants. The bill also calls for a study of all proposed wood burning plants to investigate any potential harmful effects they might have on the air, water and population of the Commonwealth.

Scott Keays, a spokesman for the American Lung Association of New England, said the plants pose a health hazard. Plants officials say they are a key part of the state's efforts to promote renewable energy.

The bill is set to come up Tuesday at a public hearing before the Legislature's Environmental Committee at the Statehouse.

Four wood burning power plants have been proposed in Russell, Greenfield, Springfield and Pittsfield.

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