Environmental Groups, Others Oppose Renewal of ABC Coke Air Emissions Permit
The Jefferson County Department of Health has received 10 public comments about the proposed renewal of the air emissions permit for ABC Coke, an industrial plant in Tarrant. Most of the comments since August opposed renewing the company’s air emissions permit, according to the health department.
The Title V operating permit regulates air emissions coming from the facility.
This Thursday, the agency will have two public hearings to receive more feedback.
Those will be at at 10 a.m. and at 7 p.m at the Jefferson County Department of Health on 6th Avenue South.
ABC Coke, a Drummond Company, produces coke for use at its plant. The plant is one of several industries along a corridor through north Birmingham and Tarrant. Environmental groups have raised concerns about air pollution there for decades.
GASP, an environmental watchdog group, launched an online petition to oppose the permit renewal in August. GASP says the plant produces harmful carcinogens and pollutants that largely affect poor and minority communities.
But denying the permit renewal would be an “extreme event,” a spokeswoman with the health department says. It could happen if a “facility were to submit obviously false or grossly incomplete information.”
After the public hearing, the health department will respond to the comments and revise the permit if needed. The information will be sent to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for review before a permit is issued.
Companies with air emissions are required to apply for new permits every four to five years, health department officials say.
Crew of fatal US military crash included Alabama father recently deployed
The six U.S. service members who died in the crash of a U.S. military refueling aircraft included an Alabama father who had just been promoted and deployed. The U.S. government released the identities of the deceased service members Saturday.
Alabama poised to drastically overhaul utility regulation. Will it lower electric bills?
The Alabama Senate unanimously voted to expand the public service commission, and create a Secretary of Energy to address rising electricity prices. A bill in the House would go even further, requiring rate case hearings and limiting utility profits.
Musher from Alabama is going for back-to-back Iditarod wins
Riches and paid appearances haven’t followed Jessie Holmes since he won the world’s most famous sled dog race, the Iditarod, last year. He doesn't mind.
Bill would move Alabama to closed primaries
Right now, any Alabama voter can participate in a primary election. Lawmakers in Montgomery took up a bill this week that would change that system.
Auburn football player uses NIL funds to open a community hub in Birmingham
Jourdin Crawford, a freshman defensive lineman at Auburn, used earnings from a Name, Image, and Likeness deal to give back to his hometown.
Ivey commutes death sentence of inmate whose accomplice fired fatal shot
Charles “Sonny” Burton was sentenced to death for the killing of Doug Battle during a 1991 robbery. However, another man shot Battle when Burton had left the building.
