For more than 15 years, SCJC and Arise for Social Justice have fought alongside East Springfield residents and community allies to stop the construction of a toxic biomass power plant in their neighborhood. The fight has included organizing residents, raising public awareness about the impacts of biomass burning, challenging permits, and pursuing multiple rounds of legal appeals at both the municipal and state levels. The repeated resurgence of the project despite community opposition has earned it the nickname "The Zombie Plant."  On Wednesday, February 4th, SCJC and other community partners attended the Springfield Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, where the board reinstated the building permits for the wood-burning power plant proposed for Page Boulevard in the East Springfield neighborhood. The Springfield Zoning Board was compelled by the State Land Court to reinstate the building permits. SCJC and Arise are not backing down. Springfield residents deserve clean air and a future that prioritizes renewable energy. SCJC, Arise, and other community allies will continue the fight by challenging state-level clean energy incentives that Palmer Renewable Energy plans to rely on to move the project forward. To join East Springfield residents and SCJC in the fight, contact Susan Theberge of SCJC at susteheberge@icloud.com to get involved. "The people of Springfield have the right to clean air. We do not want a polluting biomass plant increasing the city's already high rates of respiratory illness and contributing to the escalating climate emergency. The longstanding fight against the biomass plant is a clear indicator of the community's view on this issue." – Teniel Rhiney, Arise for Social Justice, Live Well Partner "We're going to stay and stand here together and fight to the end." – Charlie Holmes, SCJC, Live Well Partner