GoKawiilLawsuit Prompts Alabama Health Agency to Act on ABC Coke's Expired Air Permit
The Southern Environmental Law Center sued Jefferson County's health officer on behalf of GASP, arguing officials had illegally ignored ABC Coke's 2023 air permit renewal application, leaving the foundry coke plant operating under an expired permit. A day after the filing, the Jefferson County Department of Health told SELC it would move forward with the permitting process.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The episode suggests regulatory inertia can leave major polluters operating for years without updated oversight unless communities pursue legal action, according to GASP's account. ABC Coke's history, including a 2019 penalty over benzene emissions, points to ongoing community concern about air quality in Tarrant, though SELC says it will keep monitoring whether the renewed permit meaningfully addresses pollution.
- SELC sued Jefferson County's health officer for failing to act on ABC Coke's 2023 permit renewal.
- The health department began moving on the permit just one day after the lawsuit was filed.
- ABC Coke, the largest U.S. foundry coke producer, previously paid $775,000 over alleged Clean Air Act violations.
Source: insideclimatenews.org — Lee Hedgepeth, 2026-10-02
Published there as: “America's Largest Producer of Coal Is Operating Under an Expired Permit”
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