Our blogs are written by the staff of the Center for Coalfield Justice, with an occasional guest post. The most recent post appears on top, and others show up below in order of publishing date. You can receive the blogs in your inbox by signing up for our mailing list. Once per month we publish a newsletter, which contains most of the blog posts.
Sign Now to Limit Corporate Money in our Democracy
Pennsylvania allows unlimited individual and PAC (Political Action Committees) donations to political candidates’ campaigns. Corporations, like those in the fossil fuel industry, are contributing to elections, creating a pay-to-play scheme for our democracy. Voting in every election is one critical way we can push back on each dollar that billionaires are moving into elections. Do…
New Freeport Faces Lack of Water AGAIN. Please Help!
Residents of New Freeport, Pennsylvania have been without safe, drinkable private water since June 2022 following a reported frac-out at a nearby EQT well pad. Since then, residents have been forced to purchase pallets of water bottles or refill jugs at stores far from their homes in order to drink or cook. The Department of Environmental Protection…
Tell Your Senator to Vote YES on HB 1783!
House Bill 1783 passed on a 187 to 14 vote on Wednesday, June 12th. A large portion of the language in this piece of legislation was taken and amended from a previously stalled bill back on November 23rd of last year, House Bill 1650. HB 1783 would create a lifetime grant program for substance use…
DRYerson 2024 was a hot one!
On June 22, CCJ staff, members, supporters, and Ryerson Station State Park visitors gathered at pavilion 2 for the 18th Annual DRYerson Festival and braved the extreme heat wave that occurred throughout the region. Why “DRYerson?” Ryerson Station State Park used to be home to Duke Lake, an artificial lake created by a dam built…
Brave Station: The Early History of Oil and Gas in Southwestern Pennsylvania
The history of the natural gas industry in southwestern Pennsylvania runs as deep as the Marcellus Shale layer. When we look at the region, and understand how intimately woven the ties of industry and cultural identity are, and how they have shaped not only the region but the people within it, it is vital we…
Press Release: Washington County Voters Bring Legal Action Against County for Mail Ballot Disqualification
Washington, Pa. – Today, seven voters, the Center for Coalfield Justice (CCJ), and the Washington Branch NAACP filed a lawsuit against Washington County over the board of elections’ new policy to deliberately conceal information about which voters had made disqualifying errors on their mail-in ballot envelopes and to affirmatively mislead many voters into thinking their mail-in ballots would be counted.
As Washington County distributes grant money to combat substance use disorder, additional funds are making progress at the state level
In May of this year, Washington County opened up a new grant application for the use of the funds. By the time the application closed on June 11th, there were 18 grant applications. The Washington County Department of Human Services is currently reviewing the applications, and awardees are to be announced on July 18th at…
Advocate Effectively to Make Change
In a democracy, citizens’ most important duties are to express what they want and need and to elect into government those who demonstrate the willingness to stand up for those wants and needs. To truly create change, your expression of these ideas needs to be directed towards the right person and with the right message….
Press Release: Cecil Township to Hold Public Hearing on Oil and Gas Ordinance Amendments Tonight
Tonight, Cecil Township convened a public hearing at 6:00 PM to deliberate amendments to its Oil and Gas Ordinance. Community advocates and residents are rallying for increased setbacks beyond the proposed 1,000 feet, emphasizing the urgent need to enhance safety measures.
Arden Seeks Renewal of Air Pollution Permit – Make Your Voice Heard
Per the Air Pollution Control Act, operations that emit major sources of air pollution are required to obtain, and operate in compliance with an operating permit. In Pennsylvania, these permits are known as Title V Permits. Each permit lays out what kind of pollution is being emitted, how much, and what steps the operator is taking to reduce air pollution. When an operator applies for a new or renewed application, the DEP allows for a 30-day public comment period.