Author

Lance LeFleur

Lance LeFleur is director of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. For more information about the upcoming CCR public hearings, go to Public Hearings on ADEM’s website.

ADEM’s retiring director: Alabama’s environment is cleaner and healthier

As I look back at my 15 years at ADEM, I am confident Alabama’s environment is much better today than it was in 2010.

May 8, 2025

Local leaders best positioned to decide land use issues, including quarries

Land-use determinations should be made at the local level.

March 7, 2024

ADEM Coal Ash Program protects health and environment

ADEM’s goal remains the same – to ensure coal combustion residuals are timely, safely and properly disposed of.

October 23, 2023

COVID relief can be life-changing for thousands of Alabamians

Many of the approximately 1,200 water and sewer systems in Alabama have significant repair and upgrade needs.

January 27, 2022

Land-use decisions are made by local officials, not ADEM

The local route — calling on local officials and holding them accountable — is often the best path for citizens to get what they want, or block what they don’t want.

November 17, 2021

Protecting Alabama’s waters requires more than lawsuits

"The true objective is to stop and prevent violations through the most effective means. Just filing lawsuits doesn’t get it done."

July 2, 2021

Alabama’s environment is best it’s been since standards were first measured

"The environment in Alabama is the best it’s been since environmental quality was first measured. And it’s getting even better."

January 14, 2021

Hearings give public opportunity to weigh in on coal ash plans

ADEM will make sure the closure and cleanup of the coal ash sites will be done in a way that will protect the state’s land and water resources now and in the future.

October 16, 2020