Meris Lutz writes in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution about a south Georgia wood pellet mill that was recently fined nearly $52,000 for a series of state environmental violations, including bypassing its air pollution controls. In a nutshell:Although considered a significant penalty by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, critics argue that the fine falls short of addressing the larger issue. Key quote:“What gives me pause is the way that Georgia EPD currently monitors these plants,” Treva Gear, a community organizer and Georgia state manager for the Dogwood Alliance said. Exposure to these pollutants has been linked to cardiovascular problems, including heart attacks and an increased risk of premature death. Cameron Oglesby reported in 2021 about the Paris climate agreement - and how it overlooks one contentious "carbon neutral" energy source: wood pellets.

Source: The Guardian August 08, 2023 15:33 UTC