PITTSFIELD, Mass. – The Pittsfield Generating power plant on Merrill Road in Pittsfield is what’s called a ‘peaker plant,’ meaning it only operates a few days per year, when the electrical grid is maxed out.

“They call in these last, very expensive, very polluting plants, to meet that last little bit of need,” said Jane Winn, executive director of Berkshire Environmental Action Team. 

According to the environmental protection agency, the plant produced more than 40,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in 2019.

Hull Street Energy, which owns the facility, is now applying to the state for a renewal of its clean air permit. B.E.A.T. wants to see it denied, unless the plant commits to transitioning to green energy.

“Continuing burning fossil fuels contributes to the climate crisis,” said Winn. “But it also contributes to health problems in that neighborhood. So we think this plant should switch to a cleaner alternative.”

Making the switch isn’t unprecedented. B.E.A.T. is talking to owners of other peaker plants in the region to help them with the transition.

“They talked about something called a synchronous condenser,” said B.E.A.T. program director Rosemary Wessel. “You can actually take the turbine that exists in the power plant now, and turn it into a non-fossil fuel burning fly-wheel type of technology. So it mechanically stores energy until it’s needed and then it’s released.”

So far, hull street energy hasn’t responded to any of the group’s requests for a meeting. This week, the Pittsfield board of health gave their support to B.E.A.T.’s efforts, which could help open discussions.

“We want to lay the groundwork for this to happen,” said Wessel. “This is something that benefits the community, and it will benefit the company as well. It seems like a win-win situation to us, and I hope that they eventually realize that.”