The Energy Recovery Council testified this week in Boston on a bill to implement a ballot question that would strip renewable energy credits from biomass and waste-to-energy plants. The Massachusetts Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy took testimony on a proposal to strip biomass and waste-to-energy plants of renewable incentives if they emit more than 250 pounds of carbon dioxide per megawatt hour. Testifying in strong opposition to the proposal, Ted Michaels of the Energy Recovery Council urged the Committee to use a life cycle analysis when looking at greenhouse gases and not rely on arbitrary limits. In addition, Michaels urged the committee to continue to model its renewable policies based on progressive European nations that recognize that waste-to-energy as a renewable energy source and a net reducer of greenhouse gases.  Also testifying against the legislation were developers of renewable energy and major nongovernmental organizations such as the Union of Concerned Scientists, Environmental Defense, and Environment America.