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.
The Covid-19 Public Health Emergency is Ending Soon. What Does that Mean for Medicaid and Healthcare?
The Covid-19 Public Health Emergency is officially ending on May 11th, and the federal government is winding down its various emergency funding streams tied to COVID, including emergency funding that went to increasing state Medicaid programs. As a result, states will begin reevaluating who is still eligible for Medicaid as budgets are cut. States can…
From Abandoned Mine Land to Lavender Farm and Second-Chance Jobs in West Virginia
A Q&A blog by Jocelyn Sheppard, Founder & President at Appalachian Botanical Company, and CCJ’s Event Coordinator Allison Evans Allison: Jocelyn, it was so nice making your acquaintance at the Washington Farmers Market this past summer. Can you please tell us more about Appalachian Botanical Co.? Jocelyn: Appalachian Botanical Co. is growing lavender and raising…
Senator Muth Introduced Several Bills in the Pennsylvania Senate to Protect the People from the Oil and Gas Industry and Its Waste
Since her election in 2018, Senator Katie Muth has stood up to protect all Pennsylvanians’ constitutional right to clean water, air, and land by holding corporate polluters accountable. She has even made this commitment a primary pillar of her mission as a Senator. She introduced several bills at the end of January that would further…
Exciting Leadership Changes at CCJ
Veronica has led the Center for Coalfield Justice for the past five years and it has brought her so much joy and purpose. She truly believes that bringing in new energy and fresh perspective is healthy for the growth of organizations, and because of the growth of our team, she is ready to move forward…
The DEP Reports That Conventional Oil and Gas Has a Culture of Noncompliance…Likely Not Going to Change Soon
At the direction of Gov. Tom Wolf, the Department of Environmental Protection (“Department”) conducted and released a report that reviewed the Department’s oversight of the Commonwealth’s conventional oil and gas industry. Pennsylvania distinguishes conventional and unconventional wells based on depth. A conventional gas well is one that produces oil or gas from a conventional formation….
Help Rural Communities Receive the Broadband Expansion Funding They Need in 5 Minutes or Less
Internet access is essential. Especially after the rise of online options for work and school over the last few years, access to stable and affordable internet service is a crucial part of life in this country. That’s why CCJ encourages efforts to expand internet connectivity in areas like Washington and Greene Counties. The Federal Communications…
CCJ Welcomes our New Community Organizer and Communications Associate
We are happy to report that we have expanded our team in order to better serve our communities. Jodi Borello is our new community organizer for Washington County. Jodi and her family have been negatively impacted by the fossil fuel industry through multiple environmental crimes: Jodi has testified in front of two grand juries that…
Former Cabot Oil and Gas will pay for new public water system in Dimock
It started with a drinking water well explosion on New Year’s Day 2009. Dimock, a small community in Susquehanna County, gained national attention when the 2010 documentary “Gasland” showed residents lighting their tap water on fire. Since unconventional gas drilling, known as fracking, took off in the late 2000s in Pennsylvania and neighboring states, the…
Thanks To Generous Support From Our Community, Residents In New Freeport Have Clean Water For The Holidays
On Saturday, November 20, 2022, several members of CCJ staff helped to distribute water to residents of New Freeport who have been without safe, clean drinking water since June. This was possible because of the incredible support from all of the people who donated cases and jugs of water or who made monetary donations to…
No Matter Who is Elected to Office, Our Work Continues
One thing is clear after this past election: Your votes do matter. However, the fight to protect our communities and health from pollution never stops at the polls. CCJ will be here with you, continuing to support our communities and advocating for true economic solutions while protecting our health, environment, and local economy. With Josh…