Concerned Citizens of Cook County (4C), founded in 2020, aims to advocate for the health, safety, economic gain, and well-being of the community in Adel, Georgia. They confront various threats, including a proposed wood pellet biomass plant, propane tank refurbishing emissions, disruptive bitcoin mining operations, and an abandoned, toxic lumber yard. The predominantly low-income and African American community faces environmental burdens, pollution-related health issues, and potential long-term consequences. For these reasons, 4C has been causing “good trouble” in the community: investigating noxious fumes from a propane tank refurbishing company; fighting for stricter permitting and oversight of area industries; and winning commitments from the new biomass plant on increased pollution control beyond state environmental requirements. The legacy pollution and patterns of industrial development that have harmed Adel’s residents propel 4C in the fight for change.
Concerned Citizens of Cook County GA organize to oppose dirty wood pellet biomass plant.
Partnering, communicating, and dedicating themselves to improving their community are what bring 4C success. When the state permitted a pellet manufacturer to emit particulate and gaseous pollutants in residential Adel, 4C partnered with Dogwood Alliance and soon sought help from the Southern Environmental Law Center. The groups challenged the permit on the grounds of legacy discrimination. They demonstrated at EPA’s Atlanta office, appealing to EPA for stricter oversight of all pellet factories. They put up billboards saying, “Stop the wood pellet plant. Join cookcitizens.org.” They got the attention of the press, and Georgia Conservation Voters produced a YouTube documentary about the environmental injustices in Adel. Finally, they brokered a settlement with the pellet company, which agreed to monitor more frequently than required by law and to provide the neighborhood with air filters, limit noise and traffic, set up a hotline, and pay fines if it violates air pollution agreements.
Dr. Treva Gear Celeste Hayes standing in front of a Concerned Citizens of Cook County billboard.