Biomass energy, which once enjoyed support from anti-fossil fuel advocates, is beginning to suffer the same kind of fall from grace that natural gas once experienced, AWB President Don Brunell writes in his weekly column.
For years, anti-coal protesters heralded natural gas as the cleanest of all fossil fuels and a perfect bridge for America's transition to renewable energy. But then the Sierra Club, which had funneled millions to natural gas companies, turned on their former allies and launched a campaign saying it was "dirtier than coal."
The same language is now being used to describe biomass, a turn that Brunell says is "particularly puzzling." He notes that biomass enjoys broad support from state officials who are known for their commitment to environmental stewardship.
"One by one, activists are targeting any energy sources that are more affordable and abundant than wind and solar," Brunell writes. "If their strategy works, it will drive the costs of energy up for families and energy-intensive business.
