What goes into our air ends up in our water.

Don't pollute our air. Protect our drinking water, our kids, and our community.

Deadline to comment:  
Public Hearing Date:  

4:30pm February 4th 
​6:00pm February 4th​

Primary Concerns

Our sample letter to the EPD:
I am writing to express serious concerns regarding Solvay’s permit request to increase annual toxic emissions while maintaining its classification as a "minor source." Given Augusta’s ongoing air quality struggles and the significant health risks posed by industrial pollution, this request must be denied.

Here are our key concerns:
Augusta’s Air Quality at Risk
Augusta’s air is already unhealthy. The city is in an ongoing dispute with the EPA over excessive particulate matter levels that pose serious health risks. Since November 30th, there have been 26 “at-risk” air quality days—compared to only 6 safe days. Approving additional emissions will further endanger public health.

Lack of Emissions Data Transparency
The permit documents omit essential emissions data on hazardous chemicals. Under the Clean Air Act, this information is not confidential and must be disclosed. Failure to do so is both irresponsible and reckless. Solvay should not be allowed to conceal emissions data that directly impacts public health.

PFAS Contamination and Unregulated Wastewater
Augusta’s wastewater already contains elevated levels of PFAS contamination, and Solvay is a known major PFAS emitter. Granting them permission to discharge wastewater without proper regulations increases the risk of polluting our waterways and invites future legal and environmental crises.

Weak Permit Enforcement
Solvay’s “synthetic minor source” classification is based on weak and unenforceable limits, allowing the company to avoid stricter regulations despite their significant pollution output. The reality is clear—Solvay is a major source emitter and must be classified and regulated as such to prevent unchecked toxic releases.

This permit does not protect Augusta’s residents or environment. I urge you to deny Solvay’s request and ensure stricter oversight of industrial pollution in our community.

Thank you for your time and attention to this critical issue.

Send a comment to the EPD before the 4:30pm deadline Tuesday 2/4!

We encourage you to customize our sample letter or write your own. If you choose to use our sample letter, we encourage you to personalize it to reflect your own additional perspective and concerns.

​Please include Permit #29216 in the subject line.
:

Solvay Permit Number:
​EPD email address:

29216
​[email protected]

Want more info?

ATTEND THE VIRTUAL PUBLIC HEARING
FEBRUARY 4TH 6:00-7:30PM

Meeting ID: 960 7331 1471 ​
Passcode: 785257 ​
​Those joining via computer can use their computer audio, or may also dial-in. 

Dial-in numbers for the public hearing: (470)381-2552 or (888)788-0099 
​
​Lengthy statements or statements of a considerable technical or economic nature should be submitted in writing as well to [email protected] ​

The 4 Key Concerns We Are Bringing to the EPD's Attention

Key Concern #1

Augusta's Air Quality at Risk
​Augusta's air is already unhealthy. Solvay's request to increase their annual toxic emissions and still be classified as a "minor source"  threatens public health and should be denied.  Augusta is already fighting with the EPA because our particulate matter releases are too high and the air quality poses a risk to human health. Since Nov 30th 26 days have been “at risk” air quality days, 6 have not. ​

Key Concern #2

Emissions Data Transparency
The permit documents lack essential emissions data on very dangerous chemicals. This information is not confidential under the Clean Air Act and must be made public, failure to disclose is irresponsible and reckless. Solvay should not be allowed to hide emissions data, our health depends on it. 

Key Concern #3

PFAS Contamination and Unregulated Wastewater
Augusta already has elevated levels of PFAS wastewater contamination. Allowing Solvay, a known major PFAS emitter, to release wastewater into our system without regulations risks contaminating our waterways and future legal battles. This is unacceptable.

Key Concern #4

Weak Permit Enforcement
Solvay's "synthetic minor source" permit relies on weak and unenforceable limits. Given the potential for significant pollution, Solvay should be classified as a major source and held to stricter emission standards. So Solvay is for sure a major source emitter, but because they have agreed to unenforceable and weak regulatory standards they can avoid stricter emissions standards as a “major source” despite the very large amount of toxic releases expected from the facility.

Make your voice heard. Email EPD citing the primary concerns above and reference permit #29216 ahead of the February 4th deadline and public hearing.

In the past few years Solvay has quietly gone from a minor source of air pollution to a major source, increasing their release of air toxins by 80%. 

We have questions and concerns.

THE FACTS

Solvay CO2 emissions have grown 79% in the past ten years to reach 51,567 metric tons. This is the equivalent of burning 56,830,786 pounds of coal, according to the EPA’s equivalency calculator.
The state of New Jersey sued Solvay claiming they conducted “abnormally dangerous activities​” that contaminated drinking water for thousands of people with some of the highest levels of forever chemicals (PFAS) ever recorded. ​
​Solvay  downplayed risks, withheld details about chemicals it was using, and did not disclose how its work might harm people, the state alleged. Solvay Specialty Polymers settled with the state of New Jersey to pay $394 million in damages, remediation, and cleanup, but did not admit fault.

SOLVAY PERMIT APPLICATION

SOLVAY PERMIT NARRITIVE

GA EPD DRAFT PERMIT

Learn More about Solvay's Tumultuous Past

​​Savannah Riverkeeper, Inc. • Augusta, GA • Allendale, SC • Savannah, GA
P.O. Box 60 Augusta, GA 30903 USA • [email protected]
Toll Free 844-263-1415 • Office 706-826-8991 • Fax 706-826-8995
​Savannah or Allendale: 912-454-8048
EIN # 58-2630660