University of Cincinnati plans to build a dirty power plant in Clifton
The plant should use the cleanest technology

The University of Cincinnati is planning to build their own power plant at the north end of short Vine, immediately across the street from residences and the University Hospital. The plant would be a major emitter of a key ingredient of smog, nitrogen oxide -- up to 225 tons per year. It would also release 16 tons of soot and over 23 tons of carbon monoxide annually.

Problem

The university could substantially reduce the amount of pollution from the new plant if they used available cleaner technologies for nitrogen oxide emissions. By federal law, the University of Cincinnati is required to look at the best available control technologies, but they rejected those in favor of dirtier equipment.

Solution

The university can and should select much cleaner air pollution control technologies. Other institutions have adopted technologies which limit nitrogren oxide emissions to 2 parts per million. The university's current choice, accepted by Ohio EPA, would emit 25 parts per million. Since the university is funded by our tax dollars, it should be choosing the cleanest technologies to protect the health of Clifton families.

What can you do?

  • Please attend the Ohio EPA's public hearing on June 12 and insist that the Ohio EPA require University of Cincinnati to use the best available control technologies for nitrogen oxide,
  • Call or write the University of Cincinnati (see addresses below), and
  • Call city council members and ask that they contact UC as well

Joseph A. Steger, President, University of Cincinnati, P.O. Box 210063, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0063; (513) 556-2201

James Tucker, Acting Vice President for Administrative Services and Human Resources, University of Cincinnati, P.O. Box 210080, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0080; (513) 556-4731

Dale McGirr, Vice President for Finance, University of Cincinnati, P.O. Box 210620, Cincinnati OH, 45221-0620; (513) 556-2413

University of Cincinnati power plant pollution public hearing

7:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 12, 2002
Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services, 1st floor conference room
250 Wm Howard Taft Rd, Cincinnati Ohio 45219

For more information, call Karen Arnett, ECO: Environmental Community Organization, (513) 761-6140 ext 14.

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