Petition for Denying UNC-CH’s Request to Renew the Permit to Burn Coal at the

Cameron Avenue Power Plant

 

Tom Henkel

March 2021

 

Whereas:  The Chapel Hill Town Council is considering the adoption of a Climate Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the Town; and

 

Whereas:  The burning of coal produces the greatest amount of GHG emissions than any other fossil fuel;  and

 

Whereas: Coal burning emissions and pollution are a public health hazard and have recently been linked to increased death rates from COVID-19; and

 

Whereas:  The UNC-CH co-generation plant on Cameron Avenue burns coal for the production of electricity and for steam for the district steam system on the university campus; and

 

Whereas:  UNC-CH has applied to the NC Division of Air Quality (DAQ) for a renewal of its permit to burn coal; and

 

Whereas:  NC DAQ expects to release UNC’s draft air permit request for public comment by Monday, March 29th; and

 

Whereas:  The Town Government has a responsibility to protect the public health of the residents of Chapel Hill.

 

Therefore, be it resolved: The Environmental Stewardship Advisory Board requests that the Town Council ask the NC Division of Air Quality to deny the request by UNC-CH to renew its permit to continue burning coal at the Cameron Avenue co-generation power plant.