6. How The Chapel Hill Community is Fighting Environmental Destruction in the State of NC

6. How The Chapel Hill Community is Fighting Environmental Destruction in the State of NC

Author: Jenn Galler March 28, 2025 Duration: 19:32

Lib Hutchby is a member of Women's International League for Peace and Freedom in the Triangle Branch, Raging Grannies, Frack Free UNC, and NC Environmental Network.

In Chapel Hill, NC, local residents are rallying against a coal-fired power plant owned by UNC Chapel Hill, as well as a nearby Duke Energy gas build outs. Several community groups are also actively working to promote environmental sustainability by hosting events like World Water Day and attending public hearings.

Recently, UNC submitted a proposal to burn packaging materials and plastics, turning them into pellets to be used as fuel in their coal plant. While this 12-month trial period might reduce some emissions compared to the plant’s current fuel, burning these pellets could also increase levels of nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide. On top of that, the pellets contain small amounts of PFAS, or "forever chemicals," which are notoriously harmful.

However, thanks in part to the efforts of Chapel Hill's local groups, UNC has withdrawn its application. This victory is a testament to the power of community action in protecting the environment.


Contact and connect with Lib: libhutchby5@gmail.com   


Pellet testing: https://chapelboro.com/news/unc/no-more-coal-chapel-hill-prepares-for-hearing-on-uncs-co-gen-plant-and-potential-new-fuel-source


Hosted by Jenn Galler, In Our Backyard Podcast is the voice of the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, bringing urgent local stories to the forefront. This isn't about abstract global debates; it's a grounded conversation focused on the very real industrial pressures facing specific towns and neighborhoods. Each episode examines a particular threat, from active coal plants and fracking operations to the routing of new pipelines, unpacking the complex realities behind the headlines. You'll hear directly from the residents and organizers who are living these fights, sharing their personal struggles and strategies for safeguarding both community health and the local environment. The discussions are detailed and thoughtful, prioritizing the experiences of those on the ground. Tuning into this podcast means connecting with the persistent, often overlooked work of environmental justice, understanding that the most critical battles for planetary protection frequently begin just outside our own doors.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

In Our Backyard Podcast
Podcast Episodes
35. Building a Sustainable South [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:23
Welcome back to the show. Today we’re joined by Laura Iyer, founder of the Southern Sustainability Institute.Laura works with communities, businesses, and local leaders across the South to advance practical sustainabilit…
34. Understanding Energy Policy and Power Costs in Louisiana [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:38
Today we’re joined by Jackson Voss, Senior Government Affairs & Policy Advisor at the Alliance for Affordable Energy. He breaks down how energy systems are shaped, regulated, and experienced by everyday people.In this ep…
33. Rising Roots: Voices of Southwest Georgia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:43
Today I’m joined by Sherrell Byrd who is the Founder and Executive Director at SOWEGA Rising. SOWEGA Rising, an organization doing powerful work to support Southwest Georgia and build a more resilient future. Southwest G…
32. The Data Center Capital: Growth, Land, and Local Consequences [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:22
Today, we’re joined by Julie Bolthouse, Director of Land Use at the Piedmont Environmental Council. With Julie, we talk about the rapid expansion of data centers on the ground and how communities are responding.Virginia…
31. Sustaining East Tennessee: Farms, Food, and the Future [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:49
Today we’re diving into the work happening on the ground in East Tennessee to support farmers, strengthen local food systems, and build healthier, more resilient communities.I’m joined by Andy Brown and Jillian Gorell fr…
30. Ecology Beyond Data: Emotion, Storytelling, and Systems Change [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:09
I’m joined by Bill Powers from Living Well Collaborative with Earth Island Institute, an organization based in Bolivia. Bill is an author, ecologist, and storyteller whose work bridges the personal and the environment in…
29. Building Environmental Literacy for a Changing World [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:04
Today’s guest is Judy Braus, Executive Director of the North American Association for Environmental Education or NAAEE for short.NAAEE’s mission is to use the power of education to advance environmental literacy and civi…
27. Why Oysters Matter More Than You Think [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:47
I’m joined by Giulio Salerno from the Wild Oyster Project, an organization working to bring native oyster reefs back to San Francisco Bay and other West Coast estuaries. It’s about repairing ecosystems, building climate…