Veronica Coptis
Veronica Coptis joined the CCJ staff in March 2013 as a Community Organizer and is now serving as the Executive Director. She grew up in western Greene County near the Bailey Mine Complex and currently lives in the eastern part of the county. Before joining the CCJ staff, Veronica served on the Board of Directors for CCJ and organized with Mountain Watershed Association. She received a bachelor’s degree in biology from West Virginia University. She enjoys hiking and geocaching at Ryerson State Park and other areas around Greene County with her husband and daughters. Read more about Veronica in a New Yorker Magazine profile at https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/07/03/the-future-of-coal-country.
Contact Veronica at veronica@centerforcoalfieldjustice.org.
Blog Posts by Veronica Coptis
Many residents that we’ve worked with for over a decade were told by state officials and oil and gas operators that drilling and fracking were safe. Community members living next to these heavily industrial operations were rightly skeptical. The Grand Jury investigations have revealed that on at least two sites, Range failed to protect the […]
As part of our What’s on your mind? blog series, we will be posting mid-month entries by CCJ staff as a way for you to get to know us better and to provide topical variety that is of interest to our members. This second mid-month staff post is by our Executive Director Veronica Coptis: All […]
“Rural communities all over the state are relieved to hear that Governor Wolf vetoed HB 1100, an expensive handout to some of the largest corporations in the world. It was irresponsible to promise millions of dollars of revenue from taxes when our communities’ education, healthcare, and infrastructure are crumbling,” said Veronica Coptis, Executive Director of […]
Starting today, the CCJ office will be closed and all staff will be working remotely, but we are all still accessible via email and phone. We are canceling all in-person gatherings and meetings for at least the next 4 weeks (this includes our next scheduled community meeting on 3/31) and are looking at ways to […]
The Senate and House passed HB 1100, which would subsidize petrochemical development in Pennsylvania from now until 2050, costing taxpayers $22 million per year for each facility that takes advantage. It is up to Governor Wolf to veto the legislation and save taxpayer money. Take Action and Demand Gov Veto HB 1100
Over the past year, CCJ launched our economic justice and diversity work with Greene County residents. We spent most of last year deep in community with the people living across the county, wondering how elected officials are going to improve our economy to increase access to good-paying union jobs and protect our valuable natural resources. […]