After initially seeking to use an alternative fuel source of plastics and packaging materials at its cogeneration facility, UNC announced Monday it withdrew its request for a permit modification to test the pellets. A release from the university said it would steer away from the engineered fuel by the Wisconsin-based Covergen Energy, which it applied to the state Department of Environmental Quality to do in August. The idea was to see if the pellets could be added to the West Cameron Avenue plant’s fuel mix alongside coal and natural gas as a lower-emission option — but the update indicated a further review would not meet the standards UNC is seeking. “Since submitting the original application, the University has determined that the engineered pelletized fuel cannot meet fuel requirements (transportation, availability, consistency) set by UNC-Chapel Hill for its cogeneration power plant,” read the release. “This decision also allows the University time to further assess all options w...