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.
Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones announces run for Alabama governor
Jones announced his campaign Monday afternoon, hours after filing campaign paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office. His gubernatorial bid could set up a rematch with U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the Republican who defeated Jones in 2020 and is now running for governor.
Scorching Saturdays: The rising heat threat inside football stadiums
Excessive heat and more frequent medical incidents in Southern college football stadiums could be a warning sign for universities across the country.
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor to join our award-winning team covering important regional stories across Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.
Judge orders new Alabama Senate map after ruling found racial gerrymandering
U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco, appointed by President Donald Trump during his first term, issued the ruling Monday putting a new court-selected map in place for the 2026 and 2030 elections.
Construction on Meta’s largest data center brings 600% crash spike, chaos to rural Louisiana
An investigation from the Gulf States Newsroom found that trucks contracted to work at the Meta facility are causing delays and dangerous roads in Holly Ridge.
Bessemer City Council approves rezoning for a massive data center, dividing a community
After the Bessemer City Council voted 5-2 to rezone nearly 700 acres of agricultural land for the “hyperscale” server farm, a dissenting council member said city officials who signed non-disclosure agreements weren’t being transparent with citizens.
