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Sunshine Week: Website identifies Georgia polluters

The EPA website ECHO allows the public to see information on sources of pollution. Photo courtesy of EPA.

Credit: Lois Norder

Credit: Lois Norder

The EPA website ECHO allows the public to see information on sources of pollution. Photo courtesy of EPA.
By Lois Norder
March 16, 2015

Georgia has more than facilities that are in violation of various laws on hazardous wastes or air or water pollutants. Is one near you? An updated government transparency website makes it easy for you to find out.

One measure: How many quarters over the past three years has the facility been out of compliance? A recent check showed that 36 facilities had been out of compliance throughout the three years. Included are two Georgia cities, a hospital and Fort Stewart, but companies dominate the list. Apollo Industries in Smyrna - a chemical packaging plant - shows up as the target of the most formal actions among the 36. The most inspected plant: Southern Wood Piedmont in East Point.

We're pointing out the site because this is Sunshine Week - an annual event championing government transparency. Check back for other posts about open government and freedom of information.

About the Author

Norder is Senior Editor for Investigations at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The investigative reporters she directs work to independently examine the workings of government and other powerful institutions and individuals. Their goal is to help improve the lives of Georgians.

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