daq-denial

Last Friday, we reported that NC’s Department of Air Quality (DAQ) is soliciting public comment on UNC’s application to burn plastic fuel pellets in its on-campus cogeneration plant through January 17.

We also noted that as part of the public comment process, DAQ is offering an in-person public hearing on January 16, at 7 pm….in Hillsborough, which is inaccessible to nearby residents, UNC students, and anyone who relies on public transportation.

Over 500 of you have signed a petition requesting that the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) to add an additional hearing on or near campus.

Some additional updates:

After our piece was published, Sen. Graig Meyer wrote a letter to the NC DAQ, requesting that an additional hearing take place in Chapel Hill. It said:

I would ask that you find an alternative site in closer proximity to UNC’s main campus. Orange High School is more than fifteen miles away from UNC’s main campus and very difficult to access via public transportation. Holding the public hearing that far away from the UNC’s student body as well as the Chapel Hill and Carrboro residents who live in closest proximity to UNC’s co-generation facility will limit community participation.

I respectfully request that you change the venue to a location on or near UNC’s main campus to better accommodate the citizens who will be most impacted by this permit application.

It is also worth noting that UNC classes end this week, and students aren’t expected to return until January 8, 2025, which allows for a very small window in which they can submit public comments. I would also respectfully request that the comment period be extended by two weeks.  

DAQ wrote back to Sen. Meyer on December 6 and denied the request to move the hearing closer to Chapel Hill, stating that they were “unable to secure a venue that could accommodate at least 200 attendees closer than Orange High School” and that it would appear to be a conflict of interest if the hearing took place on UNC’s campus because that “may confuse the public into thinking that UNC was holding the hearing.”

This is perplexing. In September, the state held a similar public hearing on the proposed brownfields agreement between the Town and the state Department of Environmental Quality for the 828 MLK site (where the police station is located). It took place at the Chapel Hill Public Library. It was pretty convenient for all interested parties to attend. And, UNC is a university where lots of controversial topics are discussed–I think people would be able to wrap their heads around the idea that the hearing wasn’t sponsored by UNC.

As I mentioned last week, it’s such a remarkable bit of scheduling that I went ahead and emailed Shawn Taylor, the staff member listed on the public hearing press release, to try to get an explanation. We’ll report if we hear back.

Here’s what you can do:

  • If, like me, you are gobsmacked by the decision to host the public hearing in Hillsborough, send an email to Shawn Taylor. Note in the subject line that you’re emailing about the decision to hold the public hearing in Hillsborough, and ask for an explanation. If it’s inconvenient for you to get up there, let him know as well. Please bcc the blog blog at [email protected].
  • If you would like to make a substantive comment on the pellet proposal, email [email protected] with the subject line “UNC.24A” or leave a voicemail at 919-707-8448. You can also mail comments to NCDEQ Division of Air Quality, 1628 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1628.
  • Sign our petition. We hope to collect 5,000 signatures of concerned Chapel Hill and Carrboro residents who call on the North Carolina Department of Enviromental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) to add an additional hearing on or near campus.

 

Geoff Green, AICP lives in Chapel Hill. In his day job he's a practicing urban planner; in his spare time he rides his electric bike around town and advocates for improved facilities so that everyone can...