Sierra Club Cahaba Group

10/17/2025

The Black Warrior Riverkeeper filed a federal lawsuit on Thursday, Oct. 16, against PB Services LLC for violating the Clean Water Act at Bessie Mine and Locust Fork Red Rock in Jefferson County.

PB Services operates the red rock mining and iron ore waste reclamation facility in Adamsville that also conducts dry processing of the materials it mines and reclaims.

Read more in the comments.

07/15/2025

TOMORROW (July 15), the Bessemer City Council will vote on whether to re-zone undeveloped forest land to allow what would be the nation’s third-largest data center. The developers behind this project have been very secretive, giving the public virtually no information about the costs to their community, including the potential strain on vital natural resources and harm to their environment and quality of life from this proposed data center. These same developers have used non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to prevent elected officials from discussing the details of the project, and they have attempted to rush through this process, ignoring feedback from local residents and conservation and environmental groups.

Data centers use huge amounts of water and electricity. This project would use an estimated 1200 MW of electricity, and according to some documents, anywhere between two million (equivalent to more than 6500 households and two billion gallons of water per day (a quarter of the entire state’s current total water use!). This represents an incredible increase in water and power consumption not only for Bessemer, but for Central Alabama as a whole.

This project also threatens a newly-discovered fish, the Birmingham darter. This tiny fish is so new to scientists that it has not even had a chance to be listed under the Endangered Species Act. Despite the fact it is only found in southwest Jefferson County, there are no legal protections for this fish yet.

The Bessemer City Council and this developer have rushed through this process, ignoring the overwhelming community opposition to this project, and have left dozens of important questions regarding the environmental impact of this project unanswered.

We are urging the City Council to not rezone this area until the developer can provide concrete answers to the community’s many questions, and provide plans as to how the Birmingham darter, and Central Alabama’s natural resources, will be protected.

SEND YOUR LETTER HERE: https://alabamarivers.salsalabs.org/BessemerDataCenter/a

07/14/2025

TOMORROW (July 15), the Bessemer City Council will vote on whether to re-zone undeveloped forest land to allow what would be the nation’s third-largest data center. The developers behind this project have been very secretive, giving the public virtually no information about the costs to their community, including the potential strain on vital natural resources and harm to their environment and quality of life from this proposed data center. These same developers have used non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to prevent elected officials from discussing the details of the project, and they have attempted to rush through this process, ignoring feedback from local residents and conservation and environmental groups.

Data centers use huge amounts of water and electricity. This project would use an estimated 1200 MW of electricity, and according to some documents, anywhere between two million (equivalent to more than 6500 households and two billion gallons of water per day (a quarter of the entire state’s current total water use!). This represents an incredible increase in water and power consumption not only for Bessemer, but for Central Alabama as a whole.

This project also threatens a newly-discovered fish, the Birmingham darter. This tiny fish is so new to scientists that it has not even had a chance to be listed under the Endangered Species Act. Despite the fact it is only found in southwest Jefferson County, there are no legal protections for this fish yet.

The Bessemer City Council and this developer have rushed through this process, ignoring the overwhelming community opposition to this project, and have left dozens of important questions regarding the environmental impact of this project unanswered.

We are urging the City Council to not rezone this area until the developer can provide concrete answers to the community’s many questions, and provide plans as to how the Birmingham darter, and Central Alabama’s natural resources, will be protected.

SEND YOUR LETTER! https://alabamarivers.salsalabs.org/BessemerDataCenter

07/09/2025

You're invited to give input on the draft actions and strategies for the Central Alabama Climate Action Plan (CACAP). The CACAP is intended to create a roadmap for the seven-county Birmingham MSA to lower pollution, reduce its carbon footprint, and increase quality of life for all residents.

In May, the City hosted an online survey and a series of community kick-off meetings to hear from the residents of Central Alabama about their priorities, concerns, and ideas for climate action. These insights were used to help guide the development of draft measures, strategies, and actions to help achieve the City’s reduction goal.

During this next phase, the CACAP team will share the draft measures to gather additional feedback to help refine and prioritize them for inclusion in the CACAP. These upcoming Co-Refinement Workshops are your opportunity to help shape our next steps by ensuring the CACAP reflects the real needs and aspirations of our community.

Upcoming Workshops:

Workshop1:

Date: July 24th, 2025
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Location: Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve
Workshop 2:

Date: July 30th, 2025
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Location: Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest
Workshop 3:

Date: August 7th, 2025
Time: 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Location: Remote (Registration required)
These workshops are a unique opportunity to engage with other local leaders, community members, and organizations who play a pivotal role in fostering a strong community. As a valued community partner, we would greatly appreciate your participation during this phase to share your insights and ideas.

Click here to RSVP for one of the upcoming workshops!

In addition, we kindly ask for your support in sharing information about these upcoming workshops with your network. Your efforts in spreading the word will help ensure we reach as many voices as possible to shape a collaborative approach to climate action.

Attached to this email, you’ll find a flyer with event details that you can share with your networks.

Information about upcoming meetings, events, or general updates will also be posted on our Facebook and Instagram. You can find more information about the CACAP on the project website at CentralAlabamaClimate.com. If you require additional materials or have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or the project team.

Thank you for considering participating in this effort alongside other leaders who, like yourself, are paving the way for a brighter future for communities across Central Alabama.

Best,

Hunter Garrison, Climate Action Manager
City of Birmingham
[email protected]

Project Team:
Thomas Yuill, Deputy Director ([email protected])
City of Birmingham Office of Resilience & Sustainability (Lead Partner)
Kristen Cushman, Founder & CEO ([email protected])

Blue Strike Environmental (Greenhouse Gas Inventory Lead)
Amber Dillard, Senior Project Specialist ([email protected])
American Institutes for Research (Community Engagement Lead)
Evelyn Shu, Researcher ([email protected])
American Institutes for Research (Community Engagement Lead)
Taylor Cooper, Senior Consultant ([email protected])
Clarus Consulting Group (Community Engagement Specialist)

04/29/2025

Landmark Development and Samford University announced today a revised proposal for Creekside East, the track and soccer facility originally planned for property east of Homewood High School.

04/25/2025

⭐️We have an exciting weekend happening in Birmingham! Check out below all the things you can fill your weekend with.👇 GG

04/14/2025

03/27/2025

Thursday, Mar 27th Public Meeting about the proposed development slated for Samford Univ property adjacent to Shades Creek and Homewood High School. 5:30pm at Homewood Senior Center 816 Oak Grove Road, Homewood, AL 35209

03/27/2025

Friends of Shades Creek is making you aware of a public meeting regarding the proposed Creekside Development and encourages you to attend.

03/20/2025

Newly Elected Cahaba Group Officers - Chair, Perry Dowell; Vice Chair, Jamie Jordan; Secretary, Dianne McGee; Treasurer, Mike Neighbors & Group Delegate, Attorney Joi Travis
The Cahaba Group will meet every 3rd Tuesday of the month and the next meeting on April 15 will be at the Cahaba Brewing Company at 6pm. We will brainstorm on committees and group issues and activities. Discussion was held regarding the need for a Program Committee, Outings & ICO Committees, Political, Conservation, etc. Copies of the ByLaws will be provided during the next meeting.

06/30/2024

*HEAT ADVISORY* The heat index is expected to get up to 108F today! It’s great day to come and cool off in Turkey Creek. But please be aware of the heat and STAY HYDRATED!

Know the signs of heat related illnesses!

https://www.cdc.gov/extreme-heat/signs-symptoms/index.html?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwhIS0BhBqEiwADAUhc0W2rRxFXihPEvOGFytmfV4_RBGpwZ7x0wfVkP3hZ92Y-7gFa6ACDhoCIrEQAvD_BwE

(Yes, the water is as cool and refreshing as it looks in that photo)