To: Members of the Joint Committee on Committee on Energy, Utilities and
Technology
From: Jacob Stern
Date: February 28, 2023
Re: Testimony in Neither for Nor Against to L.D. 399: An Act to Amend the Portfolio
Requirements for Class II Resources and L.D. 437: An Act to Eliminate the Repeal
Provision on Waste-to-energy Renewable Energy Credits
Senator Lawrence, Representative Zeigler, and the members of the Joint Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Technology,
I am submitting the following testimony today on behalf of Sierra Club Maine, representing over 22,000 supporters and members statewide. Founded in 1892, Sierra Club is one of our nation’s oldest and largest environmental organizations. We work diligently to amplify the power of our 3.8 million members nation-wide as we work towards combating climate change and promoting a just and sustainable economy. To that end, we are taking a position neither in support of or in opposition to L.D. 399: An Act to Amend the Portfolio Requirements for Class II Resources and L.D. 437: An Act to Eliminate the Repeal Provision on Waste-to-energy Renewable Energy Credits, both of which contain identical language.
The legislation in question would eliminate a sunset provision so that renewable energy credits (RECs) generated by municipal solid waste in conjunction with recycling would count 300% towards the Class II renewable energy requirement for competitive electricity providers. While we recognize that eliminating the 300% provision would effectively devalue the Class II RECs generated municipal solid waste, potentially turning the facilities’ financials upside down overnight, the statute that sets the Class II requirement will need to be changed at some point in the future to better align with Maine’s climate goals. It would be imprudent to continue to consider municipal solid waste generation a “renewable resource” in perpetuity and simply eliminating the sunset provision is an inelegant solution at best.
Sierra Club does not consider electricity generation from municipal solid waste to be either renewable or “clean.” It has proven impossible for industry to develop a waste combustion process, even with a large biomass proportion, that does not produce unacceptable toxic and hazardous air emissions. While some advanced waste treatment technologies are promoted as alternative energy producing, the energy conserved by recycling and composting the source materials exceeds the amount of energy produced by these technologies by three to five times. Additionally, as the nation with the largest historical emissions of greenhouse gasses, the United States has an obligation to respond vigorously. The Sierra Club places primary emphasis on making substantial cuts in CO2 emissions as soon as possible by moving polluting fuel sources and shifting to a clean and sustainable energy economy.
Though we recognize there are issues with the existing statute, we would prefer an approach that focuses on emission and waste reduction as the long-term goal. Perhaps setting a timetable to reduce incentives for municipal solid waste generation, while also scaling up a separate funding source for municipal solid waste and recycling programs? Or maybe it’s time to remove municipal solid waste generation from the Class II schedule entirely and create an incentive structure that also focuses on waste reduction and educational outreach efforts? We hope this issue is revisited and the committee is able to help chart a course for a brighter, cleaner future for our state.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Jacob Stern
--
Vice Chair, Executive Committee
Sierra Club Maine Chapter