By Gregory Childress
gchildress@heraldsun.com;
Chapel Hill -- In the interest of public health, Citizens for a Coal-Free Community has asked the Town Council to join its efforts to convince UNC to eliminate the use of coal at its power plant sooner rather than later.
Patricia Leighten, a member of the organization, took a petition to the council Monday signed by about 20 members of the group who want the university to wean itself off coal by 2015.
UNC burns more than 100,000 tons of coal each year, emitting greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.
Leighten said the coal-fired plant contradicts UNC's position as a leader in research on global warming and public health,
"Although we have asked, and will continue to ask the university administration to bring its practices into line with its aim to be a research leader in the fight against climate change, we feel strongly that as citizens of the town of Chapel Hill we need the help and protection of our town government in this effort," Leighten said.
The university has set a goal to be coal free by 2050, but critics of the university's coal-burning co-generation plant on Cameron Avenue say that is not soon enough when one considers the significant health risk posed by coal-burning plants.
"This is way too late a date," Leighten said.
The organization contends that medical research shows that toxic chemicals such as mercury, arsenic, lead and particulate matter emitted by coal-fired plants can adversely affect human health.
The group cites medical studies that show toxic chemicals from coal-fired plants can:
n Increase the rate of hospitalization of children with respiratory disease by up to 300 percent.
n Increase the risk of death by heart attacks and strokes of up to 12 percent, particularly in women of an age to be mothers and grandmothers.
n Cause conditions that can result in infertility, premature birth and miscarriage.
n Cause mental deficits and learning disabilities in children exposed to mercury in utero.
"By adding the Chapel Hill Town Council's voice to that of local citizens and students in our request, we hope that they will take the urgency of this situation more seriously," Leighten said.
In January, UNC Chancellor Holden Thorp created a new Energy Task Force to study the university's carbon reduction plan and to review what other universities are doing in that regard.
Councilman Jim Ward said the health risk posed by burning coal should get the attention of everyone in the community.
"To me, what is most stark and needs to be very clear to everybody is the well-substantiated health risks associated with burning coal," Ward said.
Councilman Ed Harrison said he thinks the organization is taking the right approach by petitioning the council.
"I hope you will also take this to the Carrboro Board of Alderman," Harrison said.
Leighten said the group planned to petition the Carrboro leaders and the Orange County Board Of Commissioners.
