Environment
Wealthy Governor’s Company to Pay Nearly $1 Million for Chronic Air Pollution Violations
In the generations before Bluestone acquired the plant in 2019, people living in the area faced exposure to levels of contaminants in the air and soil that have ranked among the worst in the nation.
Underground landfill fire still contained; smoke could be worse for a few days
While rain would typically aid in fighting an above-ground fire, it likely can’t reach fire that is smoldering under the surface.
Fire department says landfill blaze that spread smoke more than 20 miles away is ‘contained’
The Moody Fire Department determined that a landfill fire that has been burning largely underground has been contained.
Alabama’s Hunting 101 workshops target newcomers — and conservation dollars
State leaders hope to reverse a decades-long decline in hunting participation rates and secure more funding for wildlife restoration.
Outdoorsy Black Women helps change the face of outdoor activities
Outdoorsy Black Women is a national organization with more than 3,000 members across the country. The Birmingham chapter began in early 2022 and it already has 160 members.
Gulf States rank at the bottom for climate-adapted housing. Organizers want to change that.
As natural disasters and extreme weather become more frequent in the Gulf South, a new report hopes to be a road map to providing more climate-adapted housing.
In Jackson, Miss., volunteers work hard to bring water to residents who need help
Local nonprofits have been delivering water directly to some residents, but the groups are still working on scaling up to dealing with a problem that stretches across the city.
In Jackson, Miss., football goes on despite the water crisis
Football is a way of life in Jackson, Mississippi. So are boil water notices. The latest water crisis has not stopped fans from filling the stands to support a local college team.
The Tragedy of North Birmingham
Industrial plants in Birmingham have polluted the air and land in its historic Black communities for over a century. In an epicenter of environmental injustice, officials continue to fail to right the wrongs plaguing the city’s north side.
Food is more than what’s on the plate for this Birmingham urban farmer
Fernando Colunga says it’s important to understand how food is grown and the culture it comes from. He’s a farming and cooking instructor at Jones Valley Teaching Farm in Birmingham and is passionate about teaching the significance of food to young people.
Alabama Supreme Court backs move to protect land around water source
The Alabama Supreme Court has sided with environmentalists who say the Birmingham Water Works Board is not abiding by a court order to protect land around Lake Purdy and parts of the Cahaba River.
Deep South’s most vulnerable residents share their stories during EPA’s ‘Journey to Justice’ tour
Black residents of Southeast Louisiana, dedicated to fighting air and soil pollution in their own neighborhoods and towns met with EPA Administrator Michael Regan on his “Journey to Justice,” listening tour, sharing their stories and frustrations.
‘Nimblewill Nomad,’ 83-year-old Alabama man, is the oldest to hike the Appalachian Trail
An Alabama man has set a new record by being the oldest person to hike the Appalachian Trail.
Alabama wants to speed up medical marijuana growing. Will it be helpful or cause more problems?
With medical marijuana now legal in Alabama, some farmers are eager to get plants in the ground, but licenses to grow marijuana won’t be available until September 2022. The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission wants to move up licensing so farmers can plant seeds earlier.
Animal Shelters In The Gulf South Are Literally Overflowing With Animals
With staffing shortages and high intake, shelters in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana are overwhelmed with the number of animals they have.
Severe Storms Barrel Through Alabama
Impacts of the storm system could be severe.
Environmental Groups Say Water Board Isn’t Effectively Protecting Drinking Water Supply
A new lawsuit against the Birmingham Water Works Board claims it failed to comply with a 2001 consent decree that protects land around the Cahaba River watershed, a major source of Birmingham’s drinking water.
Devastated Fultondale Residents Hope To Bounce Back
Clean up continues after a strong tornado devastated parts of Fultondale Monday night. Residents are, once again, coming together to pick up the pieces.
‘Life Raft’ Explores Climate Change In The Gulf Region
Life Raft is a new podcast answering questions about climate change and relieving some of the stress that comes along with all of it.
The ‘Dirty Secret’ Of Wastewater Failures in Lowndes County
Activist Catherine Coleman Flowers describes her fight for environmental justice in her hometown in a new memoir.
ADEM Holds Public Hearing On Alabama Power’s Coal Ash Pond Disposal Plans
This was the first of three public hearings scheduled to review ADEM's permits detailing how coal ash will be managed at various power plants.
PSC Allows Alabama Power To Raise Fee Charged To Solar Power Users
Solar power users in Alabama will see a new fee after a vote by the Alabama Public Service Commission this morning.
Advocates Call For Environmental & Racial Justice At North Birmingham Superfund Site
The "Right to Breathe Caravan" toured several north Birmingham neighborhoods Saturday, calling for environmental and racial justice in communities that have faced decades of industrial pollution.
PSC Gives Thumbs-Up For Alabama Power To Increase Fossil Fuel Use, Delays Solar Request
The Alabama Public Service Commission voted this week to approve most of Alabama Power’s $1.1 billion energy expansion plan. The state's largest utility will build a new natural gas plant and buy gas from existing plants.
EPA Rejects Move To Strengthen Air Pollution Limits
The Trump EPA announced this week that it will not lower the current limit on particulate air pollution, an action that disappointed but didn’t surprise public health scientists and clean-air advocates.
Getting Out For A Walk In The Woods? Social Distancing Still Applies
With gyms closed and kids home from school, more people are visiting area parks. Some officials are grappling with how to manage the crowds without putting the public’s health at risk.
Officials Seek Answers On Plan To House Coronavirus Patients In Anniston
Anniston is being considered a "back-up plan" to house some patients that have tested positive for COVID-19, according to Gov. Kay Ivey.
More Alabama Farmers Sign up to Grow Hemp
Last year marked the first time in decades that hemp could be grown legally in Alabama. More than 100 farmers got licensed by the state to grow it.
Delayed School Start Times Tuesday Feb. 11, 2020
A number of area schools are delaying start times due to heavy rain and a flash flood watch early Tuesday morning.
Schools Cancel Afternoon Activities due to Expected Severe Weather
As severe weather moves toward Alabama, several school districts are closing early.
Gasp, SELC Challenge ABC Coke Consent Decree
A fight over ABC Coke’s air pollution in Birmingham and Tarrant entered federal court Tuesday as groups charged that a consent decree agreement approved last spring is too weak to guarantee that unlawful discharges of the cancer-causing chemical benzene will stop.
Despite Pledges, Birmingham Barely Out of Gate on Energy Efficiency, Renewables, Sustainability
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin promised in December to pivot toward prioritizing sustainability during the remaining two years of his term in office. But for some, Woodfin’s administration — and Birmingham’s municipal government as a whole — has been frustratingly inert when it comes to environmental issues.
