UNC withdraws application for air quality permit modification
The school wanted to burn pellets composed of paper and plastic at physical plant
CHAPEL HILL -- The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Air Quality will stop processing an application the University of North Carolina submitted to modify an air quality permit after UNC withdrew its application.
According to a news release from the N.C. DEQ, UNC wanted to modify its air quality permit so it could burn pellets composed of paper and plastic at in the boilers at its cogeneration facility on Cameron Avenue.
The Cameron Avenue facility currently burns coal and natural gas to produce electricity and steam for the university.
As part of the permit review, DEQ's air quality division held a public hearing on Jan. 16, 2025 to solicit feedback regarding the permit modification. Following the public hearing, DEQ then requested additional information regarding emission estimates from UNC.
When UNC withdrew its application, DEQ stated it had not received a complete response to questions from the school and its application remained on hold.
According to a Jan 16, 2025 story from Inside Climate News, UNC wanted to burn 22,000 tons of pellets made of paper and plastic that would have been shipped from Wisconsin.
While the pellets would reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it would increase harmful levels of nitrogen oxides, lead, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds.
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