Anti-Biomass Testimony

Sarita Hudson • August 11, 2021

Sarita Hudson gives testimony in opposition to proposed state legislation

July 30, 2021: Sarita Hudson, Director of Programs and Development of the Public Health Institute, gave public comment on proposed changes to Massachusetts’ Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) Class I and Class II Regulations as part of a western MA delegation. Air pollution is a major health danger for children and adults. Outdoor air pollution from burning fossil fuels has been shown to contribute to morbidity for several chronic diseases including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular disease, and most recently COVID-19. In addition, air pollution affects the development of lungs and is linked to low birth weight and pre-term birth and susceptibility to infections. According to the EPA, fine particle pollution causes early death (both short-term and long-term exposure) and may cause reproductive and developmental harm (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate Matter, December2009 EPA 600/R-08/139F).


Recording of public comment

 Testimony

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By Sarita Hudson August 24, 2026
The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts (PHIWM) is expanding its longstanding asthma prevention efforts into a regional Respiratory Health Coalition focused on reducing health inequities in the region with particular attention to Springfield, Holyoke, and Chicopee. Building on the success of the Pioneer Valley Asthma Coalition and Healthy Air Network, the coalition will expand to address COPD, and lung cancer as well as asthma through coordinated action on prevention, education, environmental health, access to care, and policy advocacy. By bringing together healthcare providers, community organizations, residents, employers, public health leaders, and policymakers, the coalition will advance sustainable solutions that improve respiratory health outcomes while reducing the social and economic burden of chronic lung disease. This new Respiratory Health coalition will be meeting through the fall to finalize planning on communications, education, and policy advocacy. We have recruited 10 Resident Advisors to bring community resident voices to our process. In addition, we have representatives from Baystate Health, the cities of Chicopee, Holyoke & Springfield, Caring Health Center, Hitchcock Center for the Environment, Holyoke Health Center, Nuestras Raices, ReGreen Springfield, and Revitalize CDC. To learn more about Respiratory Health efforts, please sign up for our new Respiratory Health newsletter or contact Sarita Hudson, shudson@publichealthwm.org