Press Releases

Worsening drought conditions throughout most of the state have prompted a Level 1 Drought Response declaration from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD).

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) is closely monitoring drought conditions in Georgia.

     The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) is announcing today an air quality monitoring plan to measure ethylene oxide levels around two plants in suburban Atlanta.  Sterigenics in Smyrna and BD in Covington use the gas to sterilize medical equipment.

ATLANTA - Today the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) approved plans by Sterigenics to install new, anti-pollution controls to vastly reduce ethylene oxide emissions at its Smyrna facility. 

     The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) is working closely with two suburban Atlanta companies that have agreed to implement additional voluntary improvements in their control of ethylene oxide gas.

     Beginning May 1, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) open burning ban will be in effect for 54 Georgia counties.  The open burning ban has been in place during the summer ozone season since 2005.

     The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) plans to use state funds to extinguish a stubborn fire at an unpermitted landfill in the City of South Fulton.

     The total number of Georgia counties not meeting the federal air quality standard for ozone has fallen to just seven metro Atlanta counties, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  The number is down from 20 counties in 1997 and from 15 counties in 2008.

Beginning May 1, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) open burning ban will be in effect for 54 Georgia counties.  The open burning ban has been in place during the summer ozone season since 2005.

     The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) is lifting the Level 1 Drought Response in 12 north Georgia counties, which means the entire state is only under a non-drought outdoor water use schedule.