Blog Archive
Alabama Sixth Most Energy Expensive State
Wallet Hub this week published a report that gives Alabama a dubious ranking: the sixth most energy expensive state. The website used data available from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the Federal Highway Administration, the U.S. Environmental Protection...
Dirty Air Won’t Monitor Itself
Makaya Parrish, who appears in our documentary, "Toxic City: Birmingham's Dirty Secret," knows all too well what pollution can do to your health. Makaya has asthma, a debilitating lung condition that keeps her from playing like other kids. Her family lives in the line...
Air Pollution Controls Save Lives
A 17-year longitudinal study by researchers at Duke University released in June shows that air pollution controls implemented in the early 1990s correspond with reductions in death rates from emphysema, asthma and pneumonia. The study, "Long-term dynamics of death...
Eat Your Broccoli
One of the most toxic chemicals found in polluted air is benzene, an aromatic hydrocarbon found in crude oil and petrochemicals such as coal. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), long-term exposure to benzene causes cancer, including...
'Toxic City' Premiere Sparks Fiery Discussion About Pollution, Justice
Hundreds packed into Birmingham's historic Carver Theatre last night for the premiere of our new documentary, "Toxic City: Birmingham's Dirty Secret." The film, directed by Alabama filmmaker Hunter Nichols, evoked an emotional response from those in the audience a...
How-To Guide for Commenting on Walter Coke's Permit
PERMIT BASICS The Clean Air Act gives the Environmental Protection Agency authority to issue permits known as Title V Operating Permits to sources of hazardous air pollutants. The EPA gives authority to state and local agencies to review and approve permits. In...
GASP Commends Proposed EPA Rule to Reduce Carbon Emissions by 2030
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — GASP commends the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and President Barack Obama for putting forth a draft of a new rule to reduce carbon emissions from existing power plants. The EPA estimates the reduction in carbon emissions will prevent up to...
New Film Calls Attention to Pollution, Injustice
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — “If there’s anything this documentary can do, I hope it will be to save our children, our next generation. Those are the final words in “Toxic City: Birmingham’s Dirty Secret,” a heartbreaking 26-minute documentary about families fighting for their...
Public Hearing Scheduled for Walter Coke Air Pollution Permit
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Jefferson County Department of Health (JCDH) is holding a public hearing regarding Walter Coke's Title V Operating Permit. The hearing is May 20 from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at the North Birmingham branch of the Birmingham Public Library (2501 31st Ave...
New Campaign Uses Storytelling to Promote Clean Air
New Campaign Uses Storytelling to Promote Clean Air BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Gasp and the American Lung Association (ALA) in Alabama today announced a new campaign, Voices for Clean Air, to bring awareness to the health effects of breathing polluted air. The project will...
Supreme Court Delivers Victory for Clean Air
The Supreme Court today announced a decision hailed by health and environmental advocates as a victory for clean air. The Cross-State Air Pollution Rule is a 2011 Environmental Protection Agency regulation that requires certain states to reduce emissions from power...
Infographic on Health, Pollution, and ABC Coke
GASP has created an infographic (below) containing factual information about the health effects of air pollution as well as findings from the ABC Coke draft permit comments. Click here to download the infographic (PDF).
GASP Releases 175-Page Comment on ABC Coke Permit
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — GASP, a nonprofit health advocacy organization working for clean air in Alabama, has released a 175-page comment on the Title V operating permit draft for ABC Coke, which is currently up for renewal with the Jefferson County Department of Health...
Pollution Affects Poor People, Communities of Color More
Researchers at the University of Minnesota this week published a compelling report in the journal PLOS ONE on the gaps in exposure to NO2 pollution in whites compared to poor communities and people of color. The results are an alarming call to action. The research...
ABC Coke Draft Permit Comments Due Friday, April 18
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Comments on the draft air pollution permit renewal for ABC Coke, a Drummond Company, are due to health department officials by close of business (4:30 p.m.) Friday, April 18. A copy of the draft permit can be found here. The Jefferson County...
Air Pollution Public Hearing Scheduled for Monday, April 14
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Last Month, GASP filed a request to the Jefferson County Department of Health for a public hearing regarding Drummond Company’s Title V operating permit for ABC Coke in Tarrant. JCDH granted that request and has scheduled the hearing for...
Focus Shifts to Public Hearing on ABC Coke Permit
Last month, GASP requested an informational meeting and public hearing from Jefferson County Department of Health (JCDH) to raise awareness about Drummond Company's Title V operating permit for ABC Coke, which is currently up for renewal. We were particularly...
Issues & Ales: Sustainable Development
On Wednesday, March 12, GASP Executive Director Stacie M. Propst, PhD, was a panelist for WBHM's March Issues & Ales, a monthly event hosted by the radio station's junior board. The event at WorkPlay was packed with engaged citizens interested in the evening's...
GASP Launches Pollution Hotline
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — GASP this week launched 1-866-581-GASP (4277), a hotline for Alabamians who live and/or work near toxic pollution sources such as power plants and industrial facilities to report complaints, especially as related to health issues. The outreach...
EPA Opposes Nucor Permit in Louisiana
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week published its objections to permits for a new Nucor manufacturing plant in Convent, La. The Times-Picayune reported the EPA's conclusions, saying "the plant will violate several provisions of the Clean Air Act." The...
