Biomass makes a “biomess,” says Greenpeace

Nov 3, 2011 – A new report released by Greenpeace Canada states that the
large-scale burning of biomass is unsustainable and a potential
"environmental fiasco."

According to an article in the Vancouver Sun, the report said that biomass could now be becoming even worse than some
traditional fossil fuel options such as coal-fired electricity since
producers are now targeting new forest ecosystems for energy.

While the report, entitled "Fueling a Biomess" does not endorse the use of fossil fuels, it does caution that the industrial burning of biomass may not be as sustainable or green as once thought. In fact, the report claims that power derived from biomass plants can emit up
to 150 per cent more greenhouse gas emissions, four times the amount of
carbon monoxide pollution and two times more asthma-causing particulate
matter than coal-fired facilities that produce comparable amounts of
energy.