A MESSAGE FROM OUR DIRECTOR✉️
As an organization, CCJ’s mission statement is the foundation for all the work we do: our mission is to ‘improve policy and regulations for the oversight of fossil fuel extraction and use; to educate, empower, and organize coalfield residents; and to protect public and environmental health.’
It’s never been more challenging to carry out this mission than it is right now, given actions by the Trump Administration to slash promised funding, fire workers, shutter departments, and bulldoze critical regulations. No matter where you get your news, you know that there is a lot of change happening right now, and it’s so difficult to see through to the end, to understand where this is all leading.
Today, I’m finding comfort and hope in the things I can see, in what I’m witnessing in our communities. At our Seed Swap, I saw almost 200 people who want to grow their own food and share with their neighbors. In the streets of “Little Washington” I saw hundreds of people rallied together to fight back against cuts to Medicaid funding. Scrolling through my social media, I saw videos of kids attending town halls to say, for example, they want free school lunches so their friends don’t have to be embarrassed by not being able to pay for food – because they’re thinking of other people, not just of themselves.
This sense of community, of caring for others, of taking on whatever small act of kindness or resistance that you can to make things better than they were yesterday? That’s what reminds me that, while it’s challenging, we can protect our air and water, promote thriving communities, and safeguard our democracy. It feels like we might get a little beat up in the process, sure, and the work we have to do right now feels far from easy. Nevertheless, it’s worth it.
As I shared with you earlier this year, CCJ will continue to stand up for our communities and our values. We won’t be scared into silence by threats of retaliation from the bully pulpit. We need to hear from you, though, so we know whether or not we’re doing our jobs to represent our members and supporters. Please — email us, give us a call, stop by the office, come to an event — let us know how you’re thinking about this moment.
– Sarah Martik, Executive Director
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
CCJ Joined 1,000+ in D.C. to March for Medicaid!
On March 12th, CCJ staff and a group of community members joined over 1,000 attendees from Popular Democracy, National Nurses United, Be A Hero and more for the “Save Our Healthcare March” at the U.S. Capitol in D.C. Speakers and participants from a range of healthcare, disability, and labor organizations rallied around protecting Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP and Social Security from cuts by the Trump administration. Lawmakers including Senators Bernie Sanders, Jeff Merkley, and Ed Markey and Representatives Nancy Pelosi, Rashida Tlaib, and Pramila Jayapal also spoke about the need for Congress to vote against any policies that put these programs at risk.
Many in attendance were residents who receive benefits from these programs to help cover their medical expenses or pay the bills. Disabled, retired, and low-income folks would be the most impacted by reductions in coverage, disruptions to payments, or backlogs in filing claims. One CCJ member, Liz Pebley from Greene County, discussed why Medicaid matters to her in this Facebook Reel. CCJ will continue to advocate for continued funding for the earned benefits programs that we all pay into to ensure everyone can live with dignity and access essential services no matter our income, employment, age, or disability status.
Seed Swap 2025: We Just Keep Growing Together!
This year’s 5th Annual CCJ Seed Swap at Citizens Library was certainly one to remember. Not only were we joined by more community members than ever, but we were also able to supply local families with more seeds and grow bags and have even more meaningful conversations! When communities grow together, they bloom together.
Looking around the room, we saw lots of neighbors sharing laughter and gardening tips. One gentleman, when he learned he had won a mushroom grow kit provided by Back to the Roots was smiling ear to ear and shared his excitement since he loves to eat mushrooms! Another participant said she was tickled to be given a grow bag. She has accessibility needs and commented how excited she was that she could place a grow bag where she can easily access it in the garden as traditional gardening is difficult for her. Children got to partake in the fun too. They got to decorate their own native wildflower seed shakers, so they can continue to spread the joy of growth throughout the community!
Read more in our Event Coordinator Sarah Sweeney’s Seed Swap Recap Blog and be sure to check out our upcoming events below or on our website!
HARM REDUCTION PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Resurrection Power
Resurrection Power operates several homes in Washington County that serve as safe and structured areas for people on their recovery journey. These services are for people who are seeking a spiritually centered approach to the traditional 12 step program. There are currently four homes being operated: Providence House and Serenity House for men, as well as Trinity House and Resurrection House for Women. Resurrection Power is holding Breakfast Banquet the morning of April 12 from 8:30-10:30am to support and celebrate their work. If you would like to hear more about their services, please contact Sarah Angelo at (724) 884-5006 or sangelo@rezpowerpa.org.
BLOGS & NEWS THIS MONTH
Human Services: Medicare and Medicaid
Posted on March 20, 2025
64% of people enrolled in Medicaid work part or full-time. About 30% of the remaining recipients cite three main reasons for their Medicaid enrollment: they are in school, disabled, or are primary caregivers. These are people who are trying to improve their situation, or are facing unfortunate circumstances through no fault of their own — circumstances many have faced, or will face at some point in their life. Take a deep dive into everything Medicare, Medicaid, and rural health in southwestern Pennsylvania in our latest blog from our Community Organizer Gavyn. Read More
Economics and How it Relates to You
Posted on March 14, 2025 Every election, a majority of voters rank the economy as their #1 issue. But many of us haven’t taken an economics course since high school, if at all. In this blog, our Community Advocate Jason has put together a brief Economics 101 lesson breaking down a couple of the most fundamental ideas of economics and how they relate to some of our work in southwestern Pennsylvania. Read More
TAKE ACTION
Protect Access to Voter Registration — Stop the SAVE Act!
The SAVE Act adds arbitrary, time-consuming paperwork and restrictions to our already safe and secure voting registration process. This bill would severely, and unnecessarily, complicate and restrict voting access to millions of people, particularly our nation’s most vulnerable populations. It requires anyone registering to vote to provide proof of citizenship in-person via a birth certificate, passport or military ID, not just a driver’s license which most voting-age Americans have access to. This would eliminate the convenience of online or mail-in registration, disenfranchise an estimated tens of millions of legal American citizens who can’t access the required documents, and place further burden on understaffed election offices. Over half of the U.S. population does not possess a passport, with lower-income Americans especially affected, and obtaining one is both expensive and time-consuming. The bill also includes ambiguous language that could make registration much harder for anyone who has changed their name, including approximately 80% of married women, leaving it up to individual states to manage and causing even more confusion. Voting is our right as U.S. citizens and we shouldn’t have to navigate a minefield of document requests and fees just to fulfill our civic duty. Sign CCJ’s letter telling elected officials to VOTE NO on the SAVE Act and preserve our constitutionally protected access to the ballot box!
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 to influence who represents us at the state and local level – and ultimately, the agencies that hold them responsible for violations. Since 2018, fossil fuel companies and utilities have contributed over $1 million to political candidates in Washington and Greene Counties! Sign our petition to tell your legislator you have concerns about the influence of corporate money in PA politics. 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!
Setbacks Save Lives: Support Fracking Buffer Zones in Pennsylvania!
Our PA Department of Health found that if a child lives within one mile of an oil and gas well, they have a 5-7 times greater chance of getting lymphoma. MAD-FACTS is demanding that our local government and state officials protect our children and communities by enacting greater setbacks. This is a common sense measure that will protect our communities and MAD-FACTS is here to ensure that our leaders and residents know the facts. Currently in Pennsylvania, an oil and gas well can be placed 500 feet from your home. Is this the best the oil and gas industry can do to protect the health of our children? We are asking for common sense reform to the current oil and gas setback in Pennsylvania. We are demanding further protections for our health, and now is the time to take action. Join us in telling our state legislators that we want to protect the children of our community by enacting common sense setbacks from the oil and gas industry.
PUBLIC NOTICES
Read all of the latest relevant public notices from the past month for Washington and Greene Counties as of March 17th here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
CCJ Events
Free Kids Fishing Day at Dutch Fork Lake
May 25 | 11 AM – 1 PM | Claysville, PA
CCJ and our friends at Buffalo Creek Watershed Association are excited to hosted our 5th Annual FREE Kids Fishing Day at Dutch Fork Lake in Claysville! We’ll be providing food, drinks, bait, tackle, and rods for two hours of free fishing fun! This is a family-friendly event where we will be providing community members with a free fishing rod for kids of all ages. And the best part? When they’re finished for the day, they get to keep their pole to use in the future! First time fishing? We’ll have experienced staff available to help teach you the basics, keep you safe, and answer questions about the lake. Don’t have a fishing license? Not a problem! This event aligns with the PA Fish & Boat Commission’s Fish-for-Free Day, allowing anyone (resident or non-resident) to legally fish in all Pennsylvania waterways. Be sure to register now so we can make sure to plan to bring enough supplies and refreshments for everyone. We’ll see you there rain or shine!
MAD-FACTS April Meeting: Seismic Testing
April 17 | 6:30 PM | Washington, PA
For over a decade, many residents living near oil and gas facilities have experienced unexplained vibrations near their homes and are seeking answers. We are teaming up with Dr. William Frank and his team from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to find answers. Please join us for our first MAD-FACTS (Moms & Dads – Family Awareness of Cancer Threat Spike) meeting of the year to hear Dr. Frank discuss his study being conducted in our community and how you can get involved. Register Today
ALLY & COMMUNITY EVENTS
4/1 — Pennsylvania’s Shale Gas Boom: What the Shapiro Administration Can Do to Better Protect Public Health
12 PM on Zoom
Two years into Governor Shapiro’s tenure, residents are still waiting for meaningful action from his administration to defend their health from shale gas infrastructure and other sources of pollution. Join the Environmental Health Project for a virtual release of their latest report highlighting the perspectives of frontline residents and government officials and providing recommendations for steps the Shapiro administration can take to effectively champion our health in the face of shale gas development.
Register Here
4/3 — A Health Crisis in Plain Sight: How plastics are poisoning our air, food, and bodies — and what we can do to protect our children’s future
9 AM – 12:30 PM on Zoom
Join Moms Clean Air Force for their Annual Summit on Plastics livestream event. This summit will explore the latest research on the perilous impacts of plastic on the human lifecycle. It will feature a number of speakers connected to southwestern Pennsylvania and CCJ’s advocacy for ending plastic pollution with Break Free From Plastic including The Descendants Project co-founder Jo Banner, Dr. Leo Trasande, Rep. Summer Lee, and Moms Clean Air Force’s Ohio River Valley Organizer Rachel Meyer among others.
Register Here
4/3-5/8 — Seed to Supper Program w/ Washington County Master Gardeners
Thursdays @ 6-8PM at CCJ Office
PennState Extension’s Master Gardeners are hosting their Seed to Supper program once again in Washington County. It is a 6 week educational series that gives new gardeners the tools to start growing their own food, improve individual and community sustainability, and support a network of like-minded neighbors and partners. CCJ is proud to host these classes, which will be held each Thursday at our offices at 31 E. Chestnut St. in Washington.
Learn more and sign up ahead of time by emailing vvs2@psu.edu or calling 724-207-2010.
4/12 — Ryerson Spring Cleanup
10 AM – 2 PM at Ryerson Station State Park (361 Bristoria Rd)
Help get Ryerson ready for the springtime by picking up trash, clearing debris from trails, and assisting staff with other tasks to beautify and preserve Greene County’s only state park. Volunteers should bring gloves if possible and comfortable boots or shoes to walk in and meet at the park office.
4/26 — Protect PT 10th Anniversary Celebration
3 PM at B-Y Park (Trafford, PA)
Celebrate 10 years of our friends at Protect PT’s work informing residents about the environmental impacts of fossil fuel activity in Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties. Enjoy food, drinks, music, and special anniversary apparel. Tickets are $15 for non-members.
Buy Your Tickets Here
WEEKLY & MONTHLY EVENTS
Tuesdays & Saturdays — Greene County Flea Market
7 AM – 2 PM at Greene County Fairgrounds
Second Saturday Monthly — Free Food Pantry
9 AM – 12 PM at Lemoyne Center
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.