2011.03.29 Press Release
Ohio University Announces Historic Step: School to Move Beyond Coal
Contact: Badger Johnson: 859-801-3137 (cell); Nachy Kanfer: 614-625-3894 (cell); Josh Mogerman: 312-651-7909 (office)
Students, local residents applaud the move; prepare for dialogue with administration
Athens, OH – In a letter to students and environmental groups, the Ohio University administration has made a promise not to consider coal as an energy source for a new heating plant, effectively committing to protect the health of its students and move beyond coal by the year 2016.
“I am proud of my Alma Mater today,” said Badger Johnson, a student organizer with OU Beyond Coal. “Now that our school has ruled out coal, the next step needs to be to invest in truly clean energy that has potential to create jobs in Athens – something I’m very interested in as a graduating senior.”
OU currently heats its buildings with coal burned at the Lausche Heating Plant, a facility that lacks modern pollution controls for dangerous soot, smog, mercury, and hydrochloric acid. These toxic chemicals contribute to asthma, respiratory disease, heart problems, cancer, and premature death in the Athens community.
“OU leadership has made a choice that will positively affect students’ health and tuition payments,” said Nachy Kanfer, Midwest Representative for the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign. “Because of coal’s increasing costs and dangerous pollution, coal failed both the economic and the environmental test for the school.”
In previous conversations with students, the administration has explained that it must replace the Lausche facility by the year 2016, as the useful life of its boilers draws to a close. Announcing that coal will not be used for a new heating plant therefore effectively puts the school on a path to moving beyond coal no later than 2016 – though the school has made no legally binding commitment to do so.
“OU has given its word to Athens residents and future students that it will finally phase out this dirty old coal plant,” said Thom Cmar, Midwest Program Attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council. “We look forward to working with the university to deliver on the promise of a cleaner energy future.”
OU is now embarking on a broad campus energy planning process that will map out clean, affordable and reliable energy sources that the campus will depend upon in coming decades. Environmental groups and students will participate in this process in order to ensure it includes maximum investment in energy efficiency and clean energy – both of which will create jobs in southeast Ohio and protect the health of its residents.
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Contact: Badger Johnson: 859-801-3137 (cell); Nachy Kanfer: 614-625-3894 (cell); Josh Mogerman: 312-651-7909 (office)