Press Releases

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Michael Hansen
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205.701.4270

SCOTUS Undermines Climate Action in the US

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Supreme Court of the United States today issued its decision in West Virginia vs. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), saying that without “clear congressional authorization” the agency is limited in its ability to regulate greenhouse gas...

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Shopping You Can Breathe Easier About

In celebration of Earth Day, The Kindness Cause announced its first charitable partnership and limited-edition Cause Collection with GASP. The philanthropic e-commerce site is committed to creating an easy and transparent way to both discover and support important causes through shopping when life is too busy to volunteer.

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Groups Sue Trump’s EPA for Coke Oven Cancer Pollution

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 15, 2019) — Today Earthjustice on behalf of Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future, GASP, Louisiana Bucket Brigade, and Sierra Club, sued the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for improperly regulating coke ovens – producers of known...

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‘It’s Time for Pruitt to Resign, or Be Removed’

Forty national civil rights, labor, conservation and environmental organizations representing millions of members and supporters across the United States have taken out a series of full page ads Wednesday calling for the resignation or firing of EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt.

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GASP Calls on Sessions to Recuse Himself

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE GASP Calls on Jeff Sessions to Recuse Himself from North Birmingham Corruption Investigation BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Sept. 6, 2017) — GASP, a Birmingham-based nonprofit organization dedicated to the reduction of air pollution through education and...

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BREAKING NEWS: Alabama Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Gasp

The Alabama Supreme Court today denied a petition from ABC Coke (a division of Drummond Company) and the Jefferson County Board of Health for writ of certiorari in ABC Coke and Jefferson County Board of Health v. GASP, Inc. In other words, the Alabama Supreme Court...

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Using Comedy to Lift Spirits, Raise Awareness

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Gasp is teaming up with the Alabama Rivers Alliance to host a unique event Sunday, March 26 at Cahaba Brewing Company. "A Viscous Cycle: Thick Comedy" seeks to lift spirits and connect supporters of the two organizations. Gwen Sunkel and Carson...

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Gasp Launches New Online Air Quality Tool

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Gasp Launches New Online Air Quality Tool BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Jan. 5, 2017) — In an effort to reduce exposure to the harmful health effects of air pollution, Gasp this week announced that it has released a new online tool for users to get the...

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Alabama Court of Civil Appeals Sides with Gasp

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Alabama Court of Civil Appeals Rules in Gasp's Favor BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Alabama Court of Civil Appeals today affirmed a prior court ruling that Gasp is entitled to a hearing before the Jefferson County Board of Health (BOH) on the reissuance...

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Gasp Applauds Senators for Introducing RECLAIM Act

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Gasp applauds U.S. Senators Joe Manchin, Tim Kaine, Mark Warner, Sherrod Brown, and Bob Casey who today announced that they are introducing the RECLAIM Act. The bill would release $1 billion over five years to help coal states like...

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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...

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New Ozone Standards Will Protect Children, Elderly

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today released a long-awaited new air quality health standard for ground-level ozone, or smog. This announcement is welcome news for thousands of Alabamians young and old who want to live a healthy life. The EPA set the new...

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EPA Grants GASP Petition to Investigate in Tarrant

EPA Grants GASP Petition to Investigate in Tarrant The federal agency announced that is has granted a July request by GASP to conduct a preliminary assessment in the Birmingham suburb TARRANT, Ala. (Oct. 9, 2014) €”— The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has...

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‘Toxic City’ to be Released on DVD September 16

The short film, produced by GASP, will be released on DVD next Tuesday with bonus features including a screening kit guide, exclusive online access to the film BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — GASP announced today that "€œToxic City: Birmingham'€™s Dirty Secret"€ will be available...

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Alabama Power to Close Coal Units

Last Friday, Alabama Power announced that it is closing two small coal units at Plant Gorgas (the oldest units at the plant), as well as reducing or eliminating coal from four others at Plant Barry and Plant Greene County. The company said the move is to comply with...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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