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.
Why beef prices are higher than ever (and shoppers are finally resisting)
American ranchers are raising the fewest cows in decades. Through the price increases, American shoppers have stayed loyal to their love of burgers and steaks — until now.
ABC pulls Jimmy Kimmel off air after comments made about the Charlie Kirk killing
ABC announced Wednesday that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be off the air indefinitely following comments regarding speculation swirling around the suspect in the killing of Charlie Kirk.
What does the Google antitrust ruling mean for the future of AI?
A federal judge's mild ruling in the Justice Department's suit over Google's search engine monopoly has critics worried that the tech giant can now monopolize artificial intelligence.
Trump is deploying the National Guard to Memphis. Experts worry it’s becoming normal
The president signed an order earlier this week to send Tennessee state National Guard troops, along with officials from various federal departments and agencies, into Memphis, in an effort to fight crime. It's one of several U.S. cities Trump has singled out for such a move, testing the limits of presidential power and military force.
CDC’s vaccine advisers meet this week. Here’s how they could affect policy
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. chose everyone in the group. Their votes could affect vaccine access for certain childhood vaccines and and the COVID shots. Here's what's at stake.
Kirk shooting videos spread online, even to viewers who didn’t want to see them
Graphic videos of the Charlie Kirk shooting spread widely online, raising concerns over the emotional and political toll of exposure to violent imagery.
