The University has signed contracts to purchase 132,000 tons of coal obtained through surface mining, a method that University officials said in May they would avoid.
An Energy Task Force recommended in May that the University try to stop buying coal obtained through surface mining.
But contracts for the three-year supply of coal purchased by the University with dates in June, July and August indicate the coal is a product of contour mining, a type of surface mining.
Surface mining, which also includes mountaintop removal, is mining that results in the destruction of the mined area’s surface.
This is harmful to the surrounding population, and there is little difference between contour mining and mountaintop removal said Stewart Boss, president of UNC’s Sierra Student Coalition.
“Mountaintop removal mining is a more complete destruction, but both result in a mountain being blown up,” Boss said.
Raymond Dubose, director of energy services, said UNC did not give deep-mining companies any contracts because they tested coal from three deep mines and it didn’t meet the specific requirements needed by the cogeneration plant.
The Sierra Student Coalition released a petition Friday demanding the University stop purchasing coal from companies that use surface mining.
Boss said mountaintop removal and contour mining result in similar harm to the environment.