Drummond Coal Archives • Alabama Political Reporter

Settlement agreement reached to address alleged ABC Coke pollution

GASP claims that ABC Coke, which has operated in northern Birmingham for generations, has polluted the area over the course of decades.

January 27, 2021

Judge dismisses former Drummond exec’s lawsuit against Balch and Bingham

A Jefferson County Circuit Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit against the Balch & Bingham law firm filed by a former coal executive who claimed the law firm’s poor legal advice resulted in his conviction on federal bribery charges. Judge Tamara Harris Johnson ruled that the statute of limitations had expired on former Drummond Coal … Continued

September 16, 2020

The corruption case that didn’t matter

It was late 2014, early 2015 and the race to be the next president of the United States was just starting to heat up when word of nefarious actions at the Clinton Foundation started to circulate. The FBI was looking into the allegations, and from all outward appearances it seemed as if the Clintons were … Continued

May 19, 2020

Whose side is ADEM on?

Imagine this scenario: A thief calls the local police and tells them that he’s been stealing from local homes and businesses, and that he plans to steal more. He tells the cops when and where he’s been stealing, and when and where he plans on stealing from in the future. And the cops tell him … Continued

June 20, 2019

Alabama’s top 5 political new stories of 2018

As usual, 2018 was a busy year for state political news in Alabama. From indictments and scandals to big election wins and controversial legislation, here are the top five political stories of the past year. 5. Superfund convictions After months of embarrassing stories for Alabama politicians, a federal grand jury finally brought some closure to … Continued

December 28, 2018

Other state AGs are suing 3M over pollution; Alabama’s AG is threatening reporters and feigning ignorance

When the attorney general of Minnesota learned of the years of pollution dumped from a 3M plant into his state’s waterways, he filed a lawsuit demanding the company clean up its mess. A few years later, on the eve of the trial, 3M settled, agreeing to pay $850 million to make Minnesota’s water clean again. … Continued

October 16, 2018

The stupidity is still surprising

Congratulations, Guy V. Martin, you’ve managed to surprise me. That’s not easy to do. At least, not where it concerns someone writing dumb things or carrying the water for a rich person or an even richer company. I’ve been covering politics in this state for a long time. So, I know a thing or two … Continued

October 2, 2018

Corruption, pollution and no pollution

Senator Doug Jones and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin have called on the EPA to reconsider placing the 35th Avenue Superfund Site on the National Priorities List (NPL) for a faster and more expensive cleanup. And we heard of a Democratic opponent attacking Congressman Mo Brooks for signing a letter to the EPA supporting an extension of time for … Continued

September 28, 2018

Roberson and Gilbert both found guilty of federal corruption charges

Friday a federal jury today convicted prominent Birmingham attorney Joel Iverson Gilbert and Drummond Coal executive David Lynn Roberson in a scheme to bribe a state legislator to use his office to lead efforts opposing proposed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) actions in north Birmingham. The convictions in the federal corruption trial were announced by U.S. … Continued

July 20, 2018