What Are Potential Pollution Sources In Jefferson County?
By Hank Black
Thirty-one industries, businesses and other operations in Jefferson County are considered possible large sources of pollution and issued operating permits that recognize that.
The Title V Major Source Operating Permits are issued under Chapter 18 of the Jefferson County Board of Health Air Pollution Control Rules and Regulations. These permits are for sources that have the potential to emit 10 tons per year or more of any one hazardous air pollutant, 25 tons per year or more of any combination of hazardous air pollutants, or 100 tons per year or more of any regulated air pollutant.
The Health Department also issues permits for those sources that produce less pollution than that required for Title V permits. Currently, more than 190 entities – from colleges to funeral homes to dry cleaners – hold air emission permits locally. See the full list and the emissions at the Health Department website.
Current holders of Title V Major Source Operating Permits issued by the Jefferson County Department of Health:
- Alabama Power Company (J.H. Miller, Jr. Steam Electric Generating Plant)
- American Cast Iron Pipe Company (ACIPCO)
- Amsted Rail Company
- Berman Brothers Iron & Metal Co., Inc. dba Bermco Aluminum
- Boral Bricks (Bessemer Plant No. 5)
- Boral Bricks (Bessemer Plant No. 6)
- C & B Piping, Inc. (Adamsville)
- C & B Piping, Inc. (Leeds)
- Drummond (ABC Coke)
- Eastern Area Landfill
- ERP Coke
- Glasforms, Inc.
- Green Mountain Management
- Harbison-Walker Refractories Co..
- Jefferson County Landfill No. 1
- JTI Companies, Inc.
- Lehigh Cement Company
- New Georgia Landfill (City of Birmingham)
- Nucor B’ham Steel Corporation (Title V Permit)
- Oak Grove Resources, LLC
- Precoat Metals
- Rexam Beverage Company
- Rock Wool Manufacturing Company
- SMI Steel Inc. dba CMC Steel Alabama
- Southern Natural Gas Company (Tarrant Compressor Station)
- UAB Title V Permit
- S. Pipe and Foundry Company, LLC – Bessemer Pipe Plant
- S. Steel (Fairfield Works Pipe Mill)
- S. Steel (Fairfield Works)
- Vulcan Painters, Inc.
- Vulcan Pipe & Steel Coatings, Inc.
Federal judge refuses to block Alabama law banning DEI initiatives in public schools
U.S. District Judge David Proctor wrote that University of Alabama students and professors who filed a lawsuit challenging the law as unconstitutional did not meet the legal burden required for a preliminary injunction.
New details emerge about Japan’s notorious WWII germ warfare program
The release of WWII-era military documents this year has given a boost to researchers digging into Japan's germ warfare program. Japan's government has never apologized for the atrocities.
Crime is down in Washington, D.C., but still a reality in some neighborhoods
Residents across Washington have different takes on crime in their communities. Overwhelmingly, however, people opposed President Trump's takeover of the city with federal agents and National Guard troops.
Trump is tightening the screws on corporate America — and CEOs are staying mum
Critics warn that Trump's demands for business leaders to step down, and for the government to take a cut of sales, threaten American-style capitalism.
Counting steps for health? Here’s how many you really need
Counting steps is easy using a phone, a wearable or fitness tracker. And Scientists have lots of data to figure out how many daily steps you need to improve health. Here's what they've found.
The fight is on. How redistricting could unfold in 8 entangled states
State leaders in both parties say they're ready to redraw political lines ahead of 2026, but state laws and constitutions make mid-decade redistricting virtually impossible in many places.
