SJR124 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Roger Bedford, Jr.

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Urging Governor, Alabama Department of Environmental Management to lodge formal request with federal Environmental Protection Agency regarding Mississippi Silicon, LLC, permit by Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality

Summary

A Senate Joint Resolution urging state leaders to seek federal action to reopen the Mississippi Silicon permit process and reevaluate related analyses to protect Alabama's environment and communities near Sipsey Wilderness.

What This Bill Does

It calls on the Governor and the Director of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management to join with the Legislature in asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to petition the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality to reopen the public comment period and hold a public hearing on the Mississippi Silicon, LLC permit, and to issue an order to stop construction until the permit is revoked and proper review is completed. It also asks the EPA and the U.S. Forest Service to reevaluate the Class I Air Quality Related Values analyses for the Sipsey Wilderness Area. The resolution directs that copies be sent to key state and federal officials.

Who It Affects

• Residents of Lauderdale, Colbert, and Franklin Counties and the Sipsey Wilderness Area, who could be affected by the plant's emissions and nearby development
• Mississippi Silicon, LLC and Alabama state agencies (Governor and Department of Environmental Management), who would be influenced by federal action requests and potential changes to the permit process

Key Provisions

• Urges the Governor and Director of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management to join with the Legislature in asking the EPA Administrator to petition the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality to reopen the public comment period and hold a public hearing, and to issue an order under 42 U.S.C. §7477 to pause construction until the permit is revoked and proper review is completed per the Clean Air Act
• Urges the Governor and Director of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management to also request the Supervisor of the U.S. Forest Service (Region 8) to reevaluate the Class I Air Quality Related Values analyses submitted for Sipsey Wilderness Area as part of the permit application
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House to provide copies of the resolution to the Governor, the ADEM Director, the EPA Administrator, the EPA Regional Administrator (Region 4), and the Forest Service Supervisor (Region 8)

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Resolutions, Legislative