News
News

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.

Follow Lois Norder on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth, among others, will no longer be considered fee-free days at U.S. National Parks. While the MLK National Historic Park in Atlanta doesn't charge admission, the new schedule will affect such metro Atlanta sites as Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

MLK Day, Juneteenth cut from national parks’ free days; Trump’s birthday added

The Trump administration has altered which days national parks will allow free entry for residents and citizens next year.

LISTEN

‘It’s UATL’ podcast: Holy Booty: The Weight of Beauty Standards

Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play ‘It’s UATL’” podcast.

More of the AJC’s in-depth coverage of Atlanta’s plans for international event

The Latest

Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth, among others, will no longer be considered fee-free days at U.S. National Parks. While the MLK National Historic Park in Atlanta doesn't charge admission, the new schedule will affect such metro Atlanta sites as Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

MLK Day, Juneteenth cut from national parks’ free days; Trump’s birthday added

Sweet Tea: To care is human

LISTEN

‘It’s UATL’ podcast: Holy Booty: The Weight of Beauty Standards

Featured

Former Fulton County election worker Ruby Freeman talks to her daughter, Wandrea ArShaye "Shaye" Moss, a former Georgia election worker, after she testified before the U.S. House Select Committee at its fourth hearing on its Jan. 6 investigation on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, June 21, 2022. (Yuri Gripas/Abaca Press/TNS)

Credit: TNS

OPINION

The 2020 election interference case is gone, but it can’t be forgotten

The decision by a Georgia prosecutor not to pursue the massive Trump election interference case leaves some bad deeds unpunished.

Officials to install opioid reversal kits in Georgia’s public schools

The kits will contain Narcan, which can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and restore breathing.

Odom-led comeback nets Conference USA championship for Kennesaw State

The Owls continue to be one of the most intriguing stories of the season, going from a two-win season to a conference title and beating the defending league champions.