Biomass Facility Progress

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State Sen. Ben Downing
Boston- State Senator Benjamin B. Downing D-Pittsfield and state Representative Denis E. Guyer D-Dalton announce pre-development funding from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s (MTC) Renewable Energy Trust Fund for a proposed biomass facility to be located on property leased from Crane & Co. at 448 Hubbard Ave. in Pittsfield. Tamarack Energy, Inc. is developing a 30 to 50 Mega Watt biomass facility that will be owned by a Tamarack Energy company. A biomass boiler will be designed to meet all regulatory requirements and to qualify for the Massachusetts Renewable Portfolio Standard. Wood chips will be the primary source of fuel. Secondary sources of fuel, such as lignin from Crane & Co.’s paper mill waste system, may also be incorporated. “Utilizing biomass technology not only has obvious environmental benefits, it also provides many economic and energy security benefits,” said Downing. “I am pleased that MTC has selected this project to support.” This project has the potential to provide much of the on-site electricity needs. Tamarack will also investigate the potential use of excess energy by nearby customers. MTC will provide an unsecured loan in the amount of $249,900, to partially finance pre-development activities for the biomass project including design and engineering, environmental and local permitting, a truck traffic study, an interconnection study, fuel supply analysis, Renewable Energy Credits contracting, and public outreach. The loan is contingent upon Tamarack Energy executing an appropriate site option agreement and submitting a public outreach plan of the project. “The jobs created by this facility will be on the cutting edge of technology that is destined to lessen our dependence on fossil fuels and help change the destructive path that our environment is on,” said Guyer. Tamarack expects to begin construction in 2009 and begin commercial operation 2010.
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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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