IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
We Won Our Lawsuit Defending Washington County Voters!
On August 23, the Washington County Court of Common Pleas ruled in favor of CCJ, NAACP Washington Branch, ACLU Pennsylvania, Public Interest Law Center, and seven disenfranchised voters. The court found that the Board of Elections was wrong to withhold information about voters’ mail in ballot status, which caused 259 county voters who made minor paperwork errors to lose their vote without notice or the opportunity to correct them. CCJ Executive Director Sarah Martik said in a statement:
“This ruling marks a significant step in safeguarding the voting rights of Washington County residents. It should be a no-brainer that voters are notified if the1y make a mistake on their mail-in ballot packet and have the option to cast a provisional ballot. This decision helps to ensure that every voter understands their rights and has the opportunity to correct any errors.“
The Board of Elections may still choose to appeal the decision, but for now, the court has ordered Washington County to accurately document mail-in ballots with disqualifying errors in a statewide database which notifies voters that their vote will not be counted. The court also ordered that those with disqualifying errors on their mail-in ballots be allowed to cast a provisional ballot on Election Day.
Cecil Township Adds 2,500 Foot Buffer Zone to Proposed Oil and Gas Ordinance
Cecil Township Supervisor Cindy Fisher indicated last Thursday that the Board of Supervisors has agreed to propose a new oil and gas ordinance that includes a 2,500 ft setback between new oil and gas development and homes, schools, businesses, and religious buildings. This is exciting news and proof that, after months of organizing and several hearings where residents advocated for this setback to protect their families, the Board is listening to residents!
We urge Cecil residents to attend the meeting TOMORROW at 6 PM at the Municipal Building to show support for this new proposal and encourage the Board to approve it. To learn more about what is being proposed for future drilling in Cecil Township, check out this blog available on our website and the Board of Supervisors ordinance page for updates.
Our 30th Anniversary Fall Fundraiser is Just a Month Away!
Can you believe it has been THIRTY YEARS since we began supporting folks in Washington and Greene counties to protect our communities!? Come celebrate with us at our 30th Anniversary Fall Fundraiser at the Stone Pavilion in Washington Park on Saturday, October 5th from 5 – 9 PM!
Each ticket includes dinner, beverages, one alcoholic drink ticket for guests 21 and older, and of course birthday cake! The event will also feature a silent auction and raffle full of local goods, with bidding available until 7:30 PM. Plus, we’re so excited to have live music by Aristotle Jones: Appalachian Soul Man, a folk and blues artist, storyteller, and descendant of West Virginia coal miners!
Buy your tickets now; this evening will be a celebration of empowerment and positive change in Southwestern Pennsylvania as we reflect on all we have accomplished over 30 years of advocacy and organizing!
BLOGS & NEWS THIS MONTH
Review of ‘Beaver Land’ by Leila Philip
By Jason Capello | Aug. 22, 2024
You may be surprised to learn the significance a simple rodent has for ecosystems in North America. Ecosystems are complex and rely on strange relationships that are never obvious. Scientists have studied these complex dynamics for years, trying to understand one species’ dependency on another’s behavior. Beaver Land: How One Weird Rodent Made America by Leila Philip explores the profound impact of beavers on the environment and human history.
Read More.
What the ‘We Choose Now’ Community Assembly Was Like
By Paul Fedore | Aug. 28, 2024
Walking into a Gulf South to Appalachia Community Assembly on July 2nd was like stepping into a vibrant ecosystem of ideas and emotions. The energy was palpable and there was an infectious enthusiasm among the participants that were united by a common purpose. This energy was fueled by a sense of urgency and the shared commitment to tackling the issues at hand. I had the privilege of representing CCJ at the session around deep democracy. Read More.
Coal Mining Updates in Greene and Washington Counties
By Nick Hood and Brandon Taylor | Aug. 30, 2024
Our coal mining experts Nick and Brandon discuss news and updates around active mining, break down a state study on the damaging impacts of longwall mining under I-70, and share some useful resources to explore on your own in this blog post. Read More.
TAKE ACTION
Limit Corporate Money in our Democracy — End Unlimited Campaign Donations in Pennsylvania!
Do you think corporations should be able to donate unlimited amounts to campaigns, drowning out our voices? Pennsylvania is one of the only states with no limits on political campaign contributions. Corporations in our region use their donations and Political Action Committees to influence who represents us at the state and local level — and ultimately, the agencies that hold them responsible for violations. In fact, since 2018, fossil fuel companies and utilities alone have contributed over $1 million to political candidates in Washington and Greene Counties! Sign our petition calling for a limit on campaign donations to our elected officials. Together, we can build a government where everyone’s voice is heard, not just the wealthy few, and where liberty and justice is for all, no exceptions!
Tell your PA House Rep to VOTE NO on Dangerous Energy Bill SB 832!
The PA Senate recently passed Senate Bill 832, Senator Yaw’s bill to create an Independent Energy Office that would analyze laws, regulations, and policies and make energy-related recommendations. The IEO is supposed to do so impartially, without preference for certain energy sources over others, though depending on who runs it, the office could perpetuate the fossil fuel industry instead of supporting a just transition to renewable sources. Even worse, new amendments created a Pennsylvania Opportunities with Energy Reliability Authority that could waive certain regulations and permitting requirements for major extraction projects. We can’t let a third-party board overrule our constitutional right to clean water, pure water, and preservation of our environment! Write your House Representative with one click at the link below and tell them to vote NO on SB 832.
Tell the PA Senate to Support Substance Use Disorder Recovery by Voting YES on HB 1783!
House Bill 1783 recently passed by an overwhelming majority: 187-14! It would create a Lifetime Recovery from Substance Use Grant Program aimed at developing, expanding, and improving recovery services in the communities most affected by the opioid crisis. The bill emphasizes engaging with individuals in recovery and directing funds to nonprofits and support providers in areas with high instances of substance use and overdose deaths. This is a popular, common sense, bipartisan bill that will provide real relief to people and communities facing the harshest impacts of the opioid crisis. Help make sure it passes the Senate by sending a letter to your Senator at the link below.
PUBLIC NOTICES
Read all of the latest relevant public notices from the past month for Washington and Greene Counties as of August 26th here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Union Township Well Update Public Meeting — September 18 | 6:30 PM
Do you live in Union Township or Finleyville? Do you know how far away you live from existing or proposed oil and gas development? Do you know where to turn if you have health problems or need to report an issue? Join CCJ for a public meeting on Wednesday, September 18 from 6:30 to 8:30 at Lets Havva Shindig Catering (2130 Route 88, Finleyville, PA). We will answer questions and provide information about ongoing operations at the Sarah and Mingo Well Pads as well as other operations in the area. We can help you understand where oil and gas activity is and how to best protect your family’s health and property.
One Year Later: Have Leaders Addressed Health Concerns from the Pitt Studies? — September 19 | 6:00 PM
The findings of the University of Pittsburgh Health and Environment Studies — which linked fossil fuel operations in Pennsylvania to childhood cancer and other health problems — were released over a year ago. The Department of Health made a number of promises to impacted residents based on the data collected, but so far there has been little done to protect the health of Pennsylvania families. We’ll join Physicians for Social Responsibility PA, Fractracker, Environmental Health Project, Mountain Watershed Association to discuss the study results, the Shapiro administration’s failure to adequately respond, and what steps we can take to encourage stronger action by our elected officials.
MAD-FACTS Monthly Meetings — September 24 & October 16 | 6:30 PM
Join your neighbors who have been impacted by pollution from oil and gas operations and other residents concerned with fracking health harms at the next monthly meeting for MAD-FACTS: Moms and Dads – Family Awareness of Cancer Threat Spike. Our next two meetings are scheduled for September at the Generations Room in Cecil Township and October at Corner Cupboard in Waynesburg. Save these dates now and see our MAD-FACTS website for more information and updates.
ALLY & COMMUNITY EVENTS
9/2 – 7 — West Alexander Fair
We’ll be at the West Alexander Park all week long passing out materials, discussing local issues, and meeting community members. Come say hi! Admission is $10 per day or $30 for a week pass.
9/5 — Debunking Hydrogen Myths: Separating #hopium From Reality
2-3 PM on Zoom
While Hydrogen is being touted as a major component of a fossil fuel-free future, the economic and scientific realities of its role in transportation and energy paint a different picture. Halt the Harm is joined by Paul Martin, a Toronto-based chemical engineer, who has extensive experience debunking false claims about the promise of hydrogen in the clean energy transition.
RSVP Here
9/28 — Farm to Fork Greene County
3-8 PM at Thistlethwaite Vineyards (Jefferson, PA)
This annual event celebrates the farm to table movement with an evening of food, wine, and entertainment. Event-goers can sample goods from local and regional restaurants made from hand-grown local farms, enjoy live music, and explore the vineyards by hayride or enjoy a glass of wine fireside.
Learn More
9/28 – 29 — 36th Annual Cecil Township Fall Festival
11 AM – 7 PM and 10 AM – 6 PM at Cecil Township Park
Enjoy family fun for all at Cecil Township Parks and Recreation’s annual autumn celebration, featuring over 150 craft and vendor booths, food trucks, live music and free children’s activities.
Follow the Facebook Event for updates and information
10/5 – 6 — 53rd Annual Greene County Harvest Festival
10 AM – 5 PM at Greene County Historical Society & Museum (Waynesburg, PA)
Join the Greene County Historical Society for their annual Harvest Festival and enjoy demonstrations, reenactments, encampments, kids activities and more celebrating the history of our region and beginning of the fall harvest season.
Learn More
WEEKLY & MONTHLY EVENTS
Tuesdays — Canonsburg Farmers Market
– 3 – 7 PM at St. Patrick Church
Tuesdays & Saturdays — Greene County Flea Market
– 7 AM – 2 PM at Greene County Fairgrounds
Wednesdays — Waynesburg Farmers Market
– 10 AM – 2 PM at 145 W High Street, Waynesburg, PA
Thursdays — Main Street Farmers Market (Washington)
– 3 – 6 PM at Main Street Pavilion, Washington PA
Fridays — Monongahela Farmers Market
– 3 – 6 PM at Chess Park
Second Saturday Monthly — Free Food Pantry
– 9 AM – 12 PM at Lemoyne Center
Second Saturday Monthly — Market in the Park (Washington)
– 9 AM – 1 PM at Washington Park Main Pavilion
You can find more community events in Washington County here and Greene County here.
SUPPORT OUR WORK
We could not do this work without the continued support of our members and supporters. Please help us to continue our work to fight for environmental justice in Southwestern Pennsylvania by becoming a member of CCJ. Recurring monthly donations help to best support our work. Any gift made to the Center for Coalfield Justice is 100% tax-deductible.
