Air Quality: On The Line
Birmingham’s air quality has improved significantly over the last century. But you wouldn’t know it. The area still has problems with smog and other particulate matter, exceeding federal standards. On the next On The Line, June 23 at 6:30 p.m., our guests take your comments and questions about Air Pollution and how to clean up Birmingham.
Email questions or comments for our panelists to [email protected]
Jenny Dorgan is a program coordinator with the Alabama Environmental Council. Dorgan first became involved with the AEC as a student at the University of Alabama. While she was studying core UA classes and participating in New College seminars around her depth study “Global Environmental Action,” she was actively engaged in the efforts of AEC’s Tuscaloosa Chapter and through that experience was on her way to becoming the advocate that she is today. She was mentored by Dr. Ed Passerini, professor, solar car inventor and AEC Emeritus Director.
Dorgan has worn many hats at AEC including working on Cahaba River issues related to AEC litigation of the Sunkist Chicken Plant pollution, authoring Dirty Dozen, founding the Citizen Action Network (AEC CAN) founder, and serving as Acting Director of the organization. She is thrilled to be back in her role as Program Coordinator helping AEC to reach its goal of “Healthy Air as a Birthright for all Alabamians”.
Willard Bowers joined Alabama Power in 1965 as a part time employee doing water quality studies on Alabama Power Reservoirs and around steam plants. Upon graduating from the University of Alabama in 1969 with my MS Degree in Industrial Engineering, he worked for three years with the Navy Department in Washington, D.C. In 1971, he returned to Alabama Power as the Reservoir Regulation Engineer with responsibility for engineering studies involving hydro operations, interchange contract provisions, hydro budget studies. In 1975 he transferred to Southern Company Services as Manager, Environmental Licensing for Southern’s nuclear, fossil and hydro facilities. He also was responsible for activities involved in EPA rulemakings under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and other environmental laws.
After various promotions, Bowers assumed the position of Vice President of Environmental Affairs with Alabama Power in 2002. He is responsible for Environmental Compliance and represents the Company before regulatory agencies and in various public forums on environmental issues.
Corey Masuca is a senior air pollution control engineer with the Jefferson County Department of Health. He manages the engineering staff who assure compliance with industrial source air pollution control rules and regulations, inspect facilities, construct and issue permits, and initiate enforcement actions. Masuca earned a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering degree from Auburn University and a PhD in Environmental Health Engineer from University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Nelson Brooke is Executive Director of Black Warrior Riverkeeper. As Riverkeeper, Nelson patrols and photographs the Black Warrior River and its tributaries, researches and analyzes polluters’ permits, responds to citizen complaints, educates the public about the beauty of the river and threats to it, and is a spokesman for the Black Warrior River watershed. Brooke attended the Altamont School in Birmingham and graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with an anthropology degree. Nelson is an Eagle Scout and an outdoor enthusiast who has enjoyed fishing and hunting along the banks of the Black Warrior River since he was seven years old.
Chilean Smiljan Radić Clarke wins architecture’s highest honor
The Pritzker Prize was awarded Thursday. "In every work, he is able to answer with radical originality, making the unobvious obvious," said fellow Chilean architect and prize chair Alejandro Aravena.
El Niño is set to take hold this summer, driving up global temperatures
A potentially strong El Niño weather pattern will likely emerge this summer and persist through the rest of the year. The hottest years on record generally occur in years when El Niño is active.
‘Songs from the Hole’: The story behind JJ’88’s documentary and visual album
The visual album and documentary Songs from the Hole tells the story of James Jacobs, the hip-hop artist JJ'88, as he reflects on his coming-of-age within California's state prison system.
Oil price surges as Iran steps up attacks on ships in the Persian Gulf
Markets seesawed on Day 13 of the war in the Middle East, as two oil tankers were struck by projectiles near Iraq's southern ports and attacks between Israel and Hezbollah intensified.
Easy-to-use solar panels are coming, but utilities are trying to delay them
Utilities are convincing lawmakers around the U.S. to delay bills that would allow people to buy solar panels, plug them into an outlet and begin generating electricity.
Trump’s war with Iran is angering some swing voters who want money spent at home
Swing voters who helped reelect President Trump in 2024 don't support his decision to go to war in Iran and instead want to see U.S. tax dollars spent tackling economic pressures facing Americans.
