A LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
There’s a lot of uncertainty, worry, and heartbreak right now. It’s such a stark contrast to how this time of year is supposed to feel — a season full of fun, food, friends, and family. But for too many, it’s becoming a season marked by cold, hunger, and loneliness.
As of this writing, the federal government remains shut down. Pennsylvania still has no state budget. SNAP benefits aren’t going out in full. Home heating assistance is being delayed. Every minute that goes by without a solution to these crises is a minute wasted by our elected officials. Far too many at every level seem content using this precious time scoring political points, deflecting blame, or continuing business as usual instead of doing everything they can to protect the most vulnerable among us.
I’ve heard a lot of frustration from people across our communities. One of the most common things I hear is, “My family is working hard and struggling to get by, but we don’t qualify for help. So why should ‘they’ get help?” Too often, that gets met with blame or partisanship: someone replies, “You’re just a Republican who doesn’t care about people.” Or, “Democrats just want handouts.”
Beneath the political noise, what’s clear is that we’re all angry about the same thing. “They,” “Republicans,” and “Democrats” are all used as a way to other or generalize, when what we should be saying is that we all deserve better than to live in constant struggle. We all deserve to have our humanity and dignity affirmed and reflected in the policies that govern our lives whether we recognize their impact or not.
We desperately need to raise the threshold for qualifying for safety net programs. We desperately need to address income inequality and the consequences of allowing the plundering of the middle and working class by oligarchs and the corporations they run. These are massive problems that will require long-term organizing and advocacy, and we are committed to engaging in this fight — but our people are struggling right now.
At CCJ, we believe in the power of many over the power of money. We’ve seen time and time again that when people come together to protect our communities, demand a real seat at the table in decisions that shape our lives, and hold elected officials and corporate polluters accountable, we can change things for the better. That’s why we’re asking you to come together to care for our neighbors who are feeling the effects of this crisis the most.
Instead of our usual Giving Tuesday fundraiser, CCJ will be collecting donations for the Corner Cupboard (Greene) and Food Helpers (Washington). And to show our commitment, we’ll match your collective donations with a $5,000 contribution from CCJ. We have also posted information on our website about these and other local organizations and how you can help them carry out their critical missions during this very difficult season.
Together, we can turn frustration into action and ensure that no one in our community faces this season alone.
With solidarity and hope,
Sarah Martik
Data Center Deluge: An Update on Recent AI & Big Tech Developments
Residents both in Washington and Greene have likely seen the news: data centers are on their way. In August, residents in neighboring West Finley began pushing back against a data center that is reportedly coming to the area. On October 16th, the Observer Reporter published an article notifying community members that International Electric Power and Essential Utilities are bringing a large scale data center to the site of the former 1,400 acres site of the Robena Mine along the Monongahela River. That site would use an estimated 17 million gallons of water per day from the river for cooling and require the construction of a nearly 1 gigawatt natural-gas powered generation station for power. Less than a week later, it was announced that 1,500 acres in Washington county at the Zediker Station property is also being marketed for a data center. On October 22nd, Union Township passed an ordinance allowing the construction of data centers as large as 80,000 square feet to be built up to 1,000 feet from homes and other structures. East Finley Township just announced it will be proposing an updated ordinance as well. These are just the first of many data centers and related infrastructure, extraction, and transmission projects that are coming to our area.
We have heard questions and concerns from residents across the region ranging from rising electric costs, excessive water usage, the potential for air and water pollution from these sites, additional drilling and fracking infrastructure needed to power them, their contribution to our jobs and local economy, and a lack of transparency around how these deals came to pass. We need community benefits agreements and full transparency and accountability from the companies involved to protect our communities from any potential harm that they may face once these facilities are up and running. For these reasons, we are hosting a community meeting about the Greene County data center project on November 19th at the Carmichael’s Activity Center from 6-8:00 PM for residents near the Greene County site. Keep an eye out for a follow up meeting for residents near the Zediker Station site in December.
Election Day 2025: PA Supreme Court Retention and Municipal Races
Election Day is today, Tuesday, November 4th and this year’s elections include important retention elections for Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court, statewide Superior Court and Commonwealth Court elections, and local municipal positions. Each level of the court system has played a vital role in recent decisions to protect Pennsylvanians’ right to fair participation in elections. The Supreme Court upheld the Commonwealth Court’s findings in Center for Coalfield Justice et al. v. Washington County Board of Elections, which found that the County disenfranchised mail-in voters by failing to inform them about disqualifying issues with their ballots and giving them a chance to submit a provisional ballot on Election Day. The Courts have also made important rulings upholding no-excuse mail-in voting, affirming the right to provisional ballots, dismantling unfair voting districts, and protecting access to reproductive healthcare. We encourage all PA voters to research and make informed decisions about the future of the state’s judicial system. Learn more about the candidates running in our area in our recent What’s in Your Ballot blog post .
CNX Radical Transparency Press Conference
On October 29th, 2025, our Organizer Jodi held a press conference explaining the ways that the “Radical Transparency” program between Governor Shapiro and serial polluter CNX Resources has failed residents and deceived decision-makers. CCJ and MAD-FACTS (Moms and Dads: Family Awareness of Cancer Threat Spike) , on behalf of impacted residents, are demanding that Governor Shapiro:
1. Meet with affected residents in Claysville, PA within one month.
2. Retest water near all Radical Transparency sites using accredited drinking water standards.
3. Audit Eurofins laboratories for accuracy and integrity.
3. Clarify DEP’s role in CNX’s testing protocols.
4. Implement the 2,500-foot setback recommended by the 43rd Statewide Grand Jury.
HARM REDUCTION PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Prevention Point Pittsburgh
While not located in Washington County, Prevention Point Pittsburgh is at the forefront of care for those who use drugs. Prevention Point Pittsburgh serves as a resource center that offers several forms of aid. They serve people across all socio-economic backgrounds by not requiring appointments or fees for service. They offer life-saving services such as sterile syringe distribution & collection, naloxone & wound care, connection to housing & nutrition assistance, as well as an introduction to medical care and substance use treatment. Additionally, Prevention Point is active in advocacy for better substance use policy and participates in a statewide harm reduction coalition with Center for Coalfield Justice. You can find information about their work, their brick and mortar location in East Liberty, as well as their mobile medical van service, at their website.
BLOGS THIS MONTH
2025 Municipal Election: What will be on your ballot this year?
Posted October 13, 2025
No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, it is vital to our democracy that we all get out and vote – especially in local and state elections. There are several races on the ballot this year. Learn about several of the major statewide, county, and local races that will appear on your ballot this Election Day. Read More.
Hope and Joy at our 11th Annual Fall Fundraiser
Posted October 16, 2025
The evening of October 4th, Center for Coalfield Justice had the privilege of hosting our 11th annual Fall Fundraiser. The night was a coming together of friends, supporters new and old, and shared hope for the future of Washington and Greene counties. The lights were aglow but more importantly, so were the people who make our work possible. In total we raised more than $4,000 and had over 125 attendees! These earnings will help fund crucial work in Washington and Greene to continue to help our communities thrive. See photos and videos and hear reflections on this special night in our blog recap. Read More.
EQT Wastewater Tractor Trailer Crash in Holbrook: How Truck Traffic from the Fracking Industry is Harming our Communities
Posted October 28, 2025
In late June of this year, a tractor-trailer operated by EQT carrying fracking wastewater crashed and flipped over in the community of Holbrook, Greene County. A massive truck, carrying tens of thousands of gallons of wastewater, barreled down Golden Oaks Road, before veering off, flipping on its side, destroying a resident’s fence and driveway, and spilling 110 barrels of dangerous, toxic fracking wastewater into their yard and nearby stream. When we think about the impacts of fracking in our communities, we often think of the residents who live next to the wellpads or those downstream of the industry’s water treatment facilities. But for many folks who live along the major truck routes of these operations, it can feel like they live in a bustling factory, not a quaint rural community. Read More.
CCJ is Hiring!
We are excited to announce the opening of a few more new positions with the CCJ team! We are hiring a Greene County Community Organizer and an Events Coordinator. Don’t worry, our current staff members in these positions, Tonya and Sarah, are both staying on with CCJ, they’re just shifting their roles a bit to focus on other areas of our work! CCJ offers competitive pay, generous paid time off, full medical, dental and vision coverage, and 401k retirement benefits. If you’re interested in either position, please visit the links to apply and be sure to share them if you know someone who you think would be a good fit. We can’t wait to continue expanding Team CCJ as we head into 2026!
TAKE ACTION
Tell PA Legislators: Raise Revenue and Create a Pathway to Prosperity — No Budget Cuts!
Pennsylvania has now gone nearly 6 months without a budget and one thing is clear: our state legislators must come to the table and secure fair funding for all! According to a report released by Governor Shapiro’s office, the federal reconciliation bill (Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill) will have disastrous impacts on our communities. 310,000 Pennsylvanians are expected to lose health insurance, 144,000 Pennsylvanians will be cut from receiving SNAP benefits to feed their families and 25 rural Pennsylvania hospitals are at risk of closure. And the current government shutdown will only make matters worse, backing lawmakers into a corner and pressuring them to further cut benefits. Elected officials must show us that they will stand up for us and make sure that people’s basic needs are met.
Many vital services rely on federal funding support such as healthcare, transportation, and public education. We need to tell our legislators that they must raise PA’s state revenue, not cut our budget for vital services our communities rely on! Instead of making large cuts to essential services like healthcare, education, and transportation, Pennsylvania legislators should be advancing efforts to raise the state’s revenue. CCJ and our allies with the All Eyes on Yass campaign have created the “Pathway to Prosperity” platform, outlining realistic and impactful solutions Pennsylvania could adopt to raise $14 billion in state funding. There are available, immediate steps PA could take to ensure everything we need is fully funded – but legislators need to act.
NEW: Tell Your PA Elected Officials: Fund the Home Preservation Program!
Pennsylvania lawmakers still haven’t passed a budget, which means there still isn’t funding for the PA Home Preservation Program! Earlier this year, Senate and House reps from both sides of the aisle introduced bipartisan legislation to fund home repair assistance. The pilot program for this legislation funded costly repairs and weatherization upgrades for over 2,600 homes. It was so popular that more than 18,000 homeowners were waitlisted when lawmakers failed to include it in the previous budgets.
This new legislation would use state funds to build on this success and popularity to help tens of thousands Pennsylvanians repair their homes each year. Doing so would combat the housing crisis, avoid the broader costs associated with disrepair, and reduce community displacement. The bill passed the PA House with bipartisan support and is being considered in the Senate before a final vote. However, as negotiations around the PA budget have been in a standstill for over three months, elected officials need to hear how important this program is for Pennsylvanians to make sure it doesn’t end up on the chopping block once again. Tell your PA State Senator to support the PA Home Preservation Program in the budget and make affordable home repairs a reality for us all!
Setbacks Save Lives: Support Fracking Buffer Zones in Pennsylvania!
We all deserve to breathe clean air, drink pure water, and raise our kids without fear of toxic industries in our backyards. But right now, oil and gas facilities are permitted just 500 feet away from our homes, schools, and hospitals. These operations have been linked to cancer, asthma, low birth weight and more in kids who grow up near them. We have the power to take action and move these dangerous facilities further away from our families. This goes beyond politics: we know that access to a healthy home is something everybody can agree on. That’s why last year, Cecil Township residents from across the political spectrum came together to win a new local zoning ordinance that increases the buffer zone between fracking and homes from 500 feet to 2,500 feet! Their victory is a blueprint that residents across Pennsylvania can use to win safer communities for their loved ones, no matter where they call home.
Together, we can bypass corruption and gridlock in Harrisburg by standing up for our neighbors and making change right here at the local level — all it takes is dedicated parents joining together to demand the safety and dignity we all deserve. Sign the petition below calling for common sense setbacks and learn how you can join the movement for safer homes and brighter futures in your town!
LEARN ABOUT FOOD RESOURCES IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Many folks in Washington and Greene counties will experience more extreme hunger and cold this season due to the recent government shutdown and subsequent cuts to EBT and LIHEAP benefits. This might include you and your family. We’ve assembled a list of resources in our community that assist with grocery items as well as meals (including special holiday meals). Many of these organizations and programs rely on volunteers and donations to sustain their work. If you are fed and warm this holiday season, please consider working with them to bolster their impact. While supporting people living with food scarcity should be a year-round priority, right now is an especially critical moment to step up and be a good neighbor. Use the resources list to find locations near you to donate to or volunteer with and please consider donating to our Giving Tuesday fundraiser for Corner Cupboard and Food Helpers today!
PUBLIC NOTICES
Read all of the latest relevant public notices from the past month for Washington and Greene Counties as of November 3rd here.
UPCOMING CCJ EVENTS
Data Centers in Greene County: What Do Residents Need to Know?
November 19 | Carmichaels Activity Center | 6-8:00 PM
Center for Coalfield Justice invites you to an informative presentation about data centers on November 19th from 6-8:00 PM at the Carmichaels Senior Activity Center (100 Nemacolin Rd, Carmichaels, PA 15320). A massive data center proposed at the site of the former Robena Mine in Greensboro is expected to use over 17 million gallons of water per day from the Monongahela River. Residents living near similar sites have experienced air pollution, noise issues, and major home electricity price hikes. Proposals for additional related projects and facilities are coming to light across the region at an alarming rate.
Join us on November 19th to ask questions or share concerns about these projects. We’ll discuss questions like: What is a data center and why are they buying up land to build one near me? Will the energy needed to power them raise my electricity rates? Do data centers really create the jobs they promise? And much more!
COMING SOON: Data Centers in Washington County Community Meeting
December 2025 | MORE INFO TBA
We are also planning to host an additional community meeting about data centers in Washington County in early December. We’ll post registration and information about that event on our Facebook page and website as soon as it’s available, so keep an eye on those pages later this month to learn more.
ALLY & COMMUNITY EVENTS:
11/4 — Election Day 2025!
7 AM to 8 PM | Find Your Polling Place
2025 Municipal Elections will be held for statewide races and retention elections including PA Supreme Court, Superior Court, Commonwealth Court and local races including Mayor, County Council, Township Supervisor, Sheriff, School Director, and more. If you voted by mail, you should receive a text or email confirming your ballot submission; if you opted-in but didn’t receive one or are concerned that your ballot may have been rejected, you can also vote via provisional ballot at your in-person polling location on Election Day.
11/8 — Trades & Labor Building Historical Landmark Dedication Ceremony
2-4:00 PM at 1 South College Street, Washington PA
The Washington-Greene Central Labor Council is proud to announce the designation of the Trades and Labor Building in downtown Washington as a Historical Landmark by the Washington County History and Landmarks Foundation. Built in 1920, the building has been an important hub of the labor movement in Southwestern Pennsylvania for over a century. CCJ plans to attend in solidarity with workers past in present to celebrate the region’s rich union history.
Learn more here
11/20 — Yough Defense Party
4-11 PM at Falls City Pub (Ohiopyle, PA)
Join our friends at Mountain Watershed Association for their annual fundraiser celebrating their work defending the Youghiogheny River and protecting Laurel Highlands communities from pollution. Tickets are $25 and include live music, free snacks, door prizes, gear raffle, a silent auction, and merch deals all night.
Buy tickets here
11/21 — Empty Bowl Fundraiser (Washington County Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Task Force)
11 AM at Soup’d Up
Come enjoy homemade potato or chicken noodle soup–made with love and served for a great cause! $20 per bowl, and you get to keep the bowl as a reminder of your contribution. All proceeds support Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week Activities. Your contribution helps raise awareness and provides vital resources for those in need.
11/22 — 5K Turkey Trot (Eva K. Bowlby Library)
1K Pet Walk at 9 AM; 1K Children’s Fun Run at 9:15 AM; 5K Walk at 9:30 AM; 5K Run at 9:45 AM. All races and walks begin at the Eva K. Bowlby Library gazebo.
The Eva K. Bowlby Library Turkey Trot is the 9th Annual 5K Run/Walk and 1K Children’s Fun Run. A prize for the best dressed pet will be given. The event proceeds will provide needed support for the Eva K Bowlby Public Library’s work connecting the community with opportunities to enrich lives through empowerment, lifelong learning, and recreation.
Register and learn more here.
12/6 — From Silence to Celebration: 20 Years Proud Gala (Washington County Gay Straight Alliance)
6 PM at the The George Washington Hotel
For 20 years, the Washington County Gay Straight Alliance, Inc. (WCGSA) has been a beacon of hope, acceptance, and empowerment for the LGBTQIA+ community and allies across Washington County. Now, we invite you to join us for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate our journey “From Silence to Celebration.” This special anniversary gala will honor the people, programs, and progress that have shaped two decades of advocacy and community-building — while looking ahead to the future we’re creating together. This event will include a welcome reception, dinner, speakers, live entertainment, raffles, silent auctions, and more!
Buy your tickets and get more information here.
WEEKLY AND MONTHLY EVENTS:
Tuesdays & Saturdays —Greene County Flea Market
7 AM – 2 PM at Greene County Fairgrounds
Thursdays (except 4th Thursday) — Washington County GSA Game Night
5:30 – 8:30 PM at the CENTER on Strawberry
Second Friday of Every Month — Washington County GSA Free Friday Dinner
5:30 – 8:30 PM at the CENTER on Strawberry
Please RSVP at programs@wcgsa.org
Every Other Saturday (thru 11/8) — Music Saturday Nights
7 – 9 PM at New Freeport Fire Hall
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.