HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 11-19-2024; 12-2 - Information Item - Memorandum - Update on UNC Cogeneration Facility - Air Quality Permit Modification 1
MEMORANDUM
TO: Travis Myren, County Manager
FROM: Amy Eckberg, Sustainability Programs Manager
David Stancil, DEAPR Director
DATE: November 6, 2024
RE: Update on UNC Cogeneration Facility/Air Quality Permit Modification
This memo serves to provide an update on new information received about the
University of North Carolina's air quality permit modification request to allow a trial use
of "Convergen" brand pellets as an energy source for the university's cogeneration
facility on West Cameron Street in Chapel Hill. Commissioner Fowler raised a petition in
late-September asking staff to investigate this request.
At this time, we can offer the following update:
• The N.C. Division of Air Quality (NCDAQ) within the NC Department of
Environmental Quality (DEQ) shared on November 4 that they plan to allow a
request from UNC to "temporarily place a hold on its permit application over the
holidays to allow DEQ to hold a public hearing in the new year at a time when
students, faculty and other interested parties can better participate."
DEQ staff continued "We are aiming to hold the hearing in early to mid January, and
will likely announce specific details in the coming weeks."
The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) plans to hire a consultant to
study the combustion of the planned pellets and the potential for release of
"forever chemicals" such as Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that
might be present in the pellets into the atmosphere from the cogeneration facility.
The consultant will also be looking into the efficiency of the pellets as a fuel
source.
• We met virtually with two scientific experts on the UNC faculty who have
investigated the question of combustion of this type of pellet and the potential for
PFAS and other by-products being released. The professors noted several
questions they think should be or could be answered by the facility, including in
particular ways to measure the presence of these compounds when the planned
pilot project is underway. This could include actual measurements from the
source and the surrounding area, activated carbon injection, as well as a
formula-driven approach to calculate emissions data.
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Staff will continue to communicate with the SELC, the University, and the scientific
experts as the DEQ permit modification and public engagement process begins to take
shape. Please feel free to contact us if we may provide any additional information.
Copies: Caitlin Fenhagen, Deputy Manager
Nisheth Trivedi, Transportation Director