Public hearing Tuesday: Gas plant sparks health fears near Roxboro elementary school

Residents will have an opportunity to weigh in Tuesday night on Duke Energy’s proposal to replace coal-fired units at its Roxboro Steam Electric Plant with natural gas turbines, a shift that raises concerns about air quality, health impacts, and climate consequences for North Carolina communities.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is holding a public hearing at 6 p.m. at Piedmont Community College in Roxboro and is accepting digital comments through Nov. 22 to gather input on the draft air quality permit for Duke’s Roxboro facility, which includes plans for a methane-based, hydrogen-capable natural gas unit. The proposal is part of Duke Energy’s broader strategy to phase out coal and reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of its Carbon Plan, which aims for carbon neutrality by 2050.

While Duke Energy touts the new gas unit as an essential step to meet North Carolina’s surging energy demand, environmental advocates warn that the shift to natural gas, a fossil fuel, may exacerbate public health risks and fail to meet the state’s climate goals.

Environmental concerns and community impact

Sue Sturgis, research and communications manager for the Energy and Policy Institute, says replacing coal with natural gas still poses health and climate risks. Sturgis points out that natural gas plants emit pollutants like carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can negatively affect nearby communities, including Woodland Elementary School, located less than a mile from the proposed site. The school serves more than 200 children from kindergarten to fifth grade.

“The gas unit is supposed to be built even closer to the elementary school, so it’s going to be quite close,” Sturgis said. “The students and also the people who work in that building will be impacted by the emissions from the gas plant.”

Sturgis also highlighted the climate impact of methane, the primary component of natural gas. Although it burns cleaner than coal, methane is a potent greenhouse gas, with short-term warming effects far more powerful than carbon dioxide. “There’s a lot of concern about the fact that we’re still emitting methane at very high levels while we’re also suffering the effects of the climate crisis,” she added.

Munashe Magarira, senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), echoed concerns over public health and pollution monitoring. “The draft N.C. permit for the gas plant raises several pollution concerns that would harm the neighboring community and saddles customers with excessive costs,” Magarira said. “Duke’s own analysis indicates that the plant would generate higher levels of dangerous volatile organic compounds and carbon monoxide than its existing coal plant at the same site and reveals that the plant could elevate the surrounding community’s risk of cancer.”

The SELC points out that the draft permit lacks effective monitoring measures for pollutants like sulfur dioxide, sulfuric acid, and arsenic. “You can't manage what you can't see,” Magarira added, underscoring that adequate monitoring is crucial to ensuring public health and environmental safety.

Duke Energy’s position

Duke Energy, the largest electric utility in the state, says the Roxboro facility’s shift to natural gas is necessary to meet North Carolina’s rising energy demand, driven by the state’s rapid population and economic growth. Duke spokesman Bill Norton stated in a recent press release that energy demands have increased “eight times higher than expected,” prompting the utility’s request for an additional natural gas plant at Roxboro.

The company maintains that the new units will reduce pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) compared to coal, while delivering enough power to support North Carolina’s economic growth. Duke Energy also argues that natural gas is a “bridge fuel” needed to maintain grid stability as more renewable energy resources come online.

Economic and climate concerns

Environmental groups also caution that the economic implications of the draft permit may negatively impact Duke Energy customers. The cost of building and operating the plant would likely fall on customers, an expense estimated in the billions of dollars. The Roxboro plant, expected to begin operations by 2028, could face additional emissions restrictions under federal standards by 2032, potentially limiting its capacity and burdening ratepayers with an underperforming investment.

Magarira further criticized the permit’s lack of alignment with Clean Air Act regulations to limit carbon pollution from new methane gas plants. “The draft permit fails to require Duke to comply with federal regulations, doubling down on climate pollution and leaving customers on the hook for a project whose poor planning could result in cost overruns,” he said.

How to participate

Residents interested in sharing their views can attend the public hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 6 p.m. at Piedmont Community College auditorium, Room D-101. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a sign-up available for oral comments. Each participant will have three minutes to speak.

For those unable to attend, written comments may be submitted until Nov. 22. Residents can email comments to DAQ.publiccomments@deq.nc.gov with “DukeRoxboro.24A” in the subject line, leave a voicemail at 919-707-8714, or send postal mail to:

NCDEQ Division of Air Quality1628 Mail Service CenterRaleigh, North Carolina 27699-1628

Upcoming hearing for Duke’s Marshall Plant

A second public hearing will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 19, to gather comments on the draft air quality permit for Duke Energy’s Marshall Steam Station in Catawba County. The event will be held at Lake Norman High School in Mooresville at 6 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. This hearing, following the Roxboro meeting, is also part of Duke’s statewide plan to transition from coal to natural gas in its North Carolina facilities, aiming to reduce pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2).

As North Carolina continues its path toward a low-carbon future, the outcome of Duke’s Roxboro gas plant proposal will serve as a test of the state’s commitment to balancing economic needs with climate and public health considerations.