Clean Air, Healthy Brain?
New evidence reveals a surprising link between air pollution and cognitive health Research has for years linked exposure to air pollution with health risks like asthma, lung cancer, and, more recently, heart disease. But now alarming new...
Meet the Interns: Dania Ashour
Yesterday we introduced you to our intern from the UAB School of Public Health, Nkereuwem Samuel Unwana — who goes by Life. Now we would like you to meet our intern from the UAB School of Engineering, Dania Ashour. Dania is working with a pair of brilliant volunteer...
My Experience at the Women’s March in Birmingham
When we were asked if Gasp would participate in the Women’s March in Birmingham, we enthusiastically agreed. The March stands for principles Gasp absolutely supports. Plus, it would be great to set up a table and spread the word about healthy air and clean energy to...
Meet the Interns: Nkereuwem ‘Life’ Samuel Unwana
This week we will introduce you to two interns who are working with Gasp this semester through the Academic Small Business Alliance at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dania Ashour and Nkereuwem (Life) Samuel Unwana are working to develop a scalable...
Alternative Facts: Air Pollution, Climate Change & Health
This past Sunday, a Meet the Press interview featuring Counselor to President Donald Trump Kellyanne Conway went viral after she coined the phrase "alternative facts." I couldn't help but chuckle when I heard this euphemism coming out of the new White House. (I also...
EPA Makes Positive Changes to Comply with Civil Rights Act, but Uncertainty Remains
On December 29, 2016, the EPA withdrew a proposed rule to amend its nondiscrimination regulation regarding compliance information for Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Last year Gasp weighed in on the proposed changes and objected to the removal of deadlines in the...
5 Steps to Getting Started with Solar
We get this question quite a bit. Yes, we’re a solar company, and yes, we’re in what seems like a solar-wilderness being in the deep South. But, it is a legitimate question. So, let’s make this simple: (If you’re curious if solar is illegal or allowed by the power...
REINS Act Could Spell Disaster for Clean Air
Today the 115th Congress convened in Washington. Experts and policy wonks anticipate that the House of Representatives is likely to pass H.R. 427, "Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2017" — better known as the REINS Act. This bill passed the...
Tell Your Senator to Vote Yes on 100% Renewable Energy by 2050
Earlier this month, Senators Ed Markey (D-MA) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced a resolution in the U.S. Senate to shift America to 100% renewable energy by 2050. The goal of this resolution is to help consumers, support the economy and national security and avoid...
Gasp Joins 120+ Organizations in Letter to President-Elect Trump, Congress
DEAR PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP & CONGRESS, Communities here at home and around the world are reeling from more extreme and unpredictable weather events, sustained drought, dramatic floods, and unprecedented wildfires. While we will all be impacted, it is the poorest...
Scott Pruitt is an Offensive Choice for the EPA
Yesterday, multiple news outlets reported that President-Elect Donald Trump has selected Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to lead the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Below is Gasp Executive Director Michael Hansen's statement in response to this pick: By...
Where Do We Go From Here?
Friends, Happy Veteran's Day! We are so grateful for the service of those who keep us safe and secure. Our service men and women make it possible for us to do this important work freely. On that note, I don't think I need to tell you that the outcome of the...
Air Quality Concerns After the Colonial Pipeline Explosion
Several people have pinged us since Monday with questions about the tragic Colonial Pipeline explosion in Shelby County and if there is any air quality concerns. First of all, our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the man who lost his life as well as those...
EPA Releases final Environmental Justice 2020 Action Agenda
On Thursday, the EPA released its final EJ 2020 Action Agenda. EPA’s stated vision is to integrate environmental justice into everything that they do, cultivate strong partnerships to improve on-the-ground results, and chart a path forward for achieving better...
Uber-Popular RECLAIM Act Would Benefit Alabama’s Coal Communities
A recent poll shows overwhelming support in Appalachia for a bipartisan bill called the RECLAIM Act that would release $1 billion to create economic development opportunities in coal communities affected by the energy industry's transition away from dirty fossil...
Did the Colonial Pipeline Gas Spill Affect Birmingham’s Air Quality?
On September 9, 2016, during a routine check of an inactive coal mine in the area, an inspector for the Alabama Surface Mining Commission discovered oily residue on the surface of a retention pond and noted a strong gasoline smell. Colonial Pipeline Company says "Line...
EPA Issues Final Cross State Air Pollution Rule
On September 7, 2016, The EPA finalized Federal Implementation Plans (FIPs) in the Cross State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) Update to address air quality impacts of the interstate transport of ozone air pollution in the eastern United States. CSAPR addresses summertime...
Alabama is the 3rd Most Expensive State for Electricity Bills
Here we go again. Alabama has been named one of the most energy-expensive states according to WalletHub, a website that provides consumers with free financial information and analysis. Source: WalletHub We fared better overall in this year's report than we did in...
Stronger Air Pollution Standards Could Save Lives
"Meeting tighter pollution standards could prevent 63 avoidable deaths, 117 serious illnesses, and 88,414 adverse impact days in Birmingham alone." A report released this week by the American Thoracic Society and the Marron Institute of Urban Management at New York...
Clean Energy Incentive Program Moving Forward Despite Clean Power Plan Delays
As we mentioned before, on February 9, 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed the Clean Power Plan. On May 16, 2016, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ordered that oral arguments be rescheduled for September 27, 2016 and will be he heard by the full en banc D.C. Circuit...
Help Gasp Fight for Environmental Justice
Some communities in our country suffer from a larger burden of environmental hazards than others. These areas are referred to as environmental justice (EJ) communities. While more attention has been given to EJ communities as of late, tangible, specific changes to...
SCOTUS Denies Appeal Over Embattled MATS Rule
On Monday, the Supreme Court of the United States denied certiorari in Michigan v. EPA. This means that SCOTUS rejected Michigan’s and 20 other states, including Alabama, appeal to block the mercury and air toxics standards (MATS). In denying review, SCOTUS upholds...
Study Finds Air Pollution’s Damage to Lungs, Heart and Brain Underestimated
"Air pollution has emerged as a significant contributor to global stroke burden, especially in low-income and middle-income countries, and therefore reducing exposure to air pollution should be one of the main priorities to reduce stroke burden in these countries."...
Don’t Let U.S. Congress Gut the Clean Air Act!
In March, Representative Pete Olson from Texas introduced H.R. 4775, the “Ozone Standards Implementation Act.” As is often the case, the devil is in the details of this rather innocuous-sounding bill. In fact, H.R. 4775 seeks to not only delay implementation of the...
Here Comes the Sun: Project Sunroof Shows Your Potential
When you think of Google, you probably think of searching the internet for those random questions that pop into your head throughout the day. Or maybe email, chat, mapping directions, document collaboration or one of a dozen other ubiquitous products the company is...
Tell AG Luther Strange to Stop Wasting Taxpayer Money Opposing MATS
On April 15, 2016, EPA issued its long awaited final cost consideration for the embattled Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (or MATS) rule. As I mentioned last summer, the Supreme Court of the United States held that the EPA must consider costs before deciding a...
Why The EPA’s First-Ever Methane Regulations Are A Big Deal
Today the EPA released the final (and first-ever) rule for the oil and gas sector for new, reconstructed and modified sources. Gasp commented on the draft rule and we discussed last summer the EPA was taking a crucial step in addressing climate change. Methane (CH4)...
This is Why I Gasp
by Will King, Gasp Summer Research Fellow As we head outdoors to enjoy the sunny days and vibrant colors of spring, the quality of the air we breathe may be the last thing on our minds. May is Clean Air Month, a time devoted to bringing increased awareness to...
Mothers Deserve Clean Air: It’s Science
A study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives from researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health shows that even slight exposure to particulate air pollution may increase the risk of intrauterine inflammation (IUI)....
Alabama Gets an ‘F’ for ‘Weak,’ ‘Destructive’ Solar Policies
The Center for Biological Diversity gives the state of Alabama an “F” in its new report, “Throwing Shade: 10 Sunny States Blocking Distributed Solar Development.” It calls out 10 states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas,...
