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.
What is Happening at the Holbrook Compressor Station
The Holbrook Compressor Station (“Holbrook”), which sits on just over 44 acres of land adjacent to the Ryerson Station State Park in Richhill Township, Greene County, began its operation in 1955. Currently, there are twelve reciprocating units on site that aid in the movement of natural gas, which runs from the Gulf Coast of Texas…
CCJ releases statement on Governor Wolf administration’s decision to move forward with radiological testing of leachate at landfills
“This is a good first step, as it will help to provide important information to the public; however, it still keeps the burden of testing waterways for hazardous waste on us, the taxpayers. It is imperative that the oil and gas industry bear the cost of ensuring clean waterways. Protecting health and taxpayer money can only happen if and when Governor Wolf closes the oil and gas waste loophole.”
If Qualified, You May Be Able to Receive Assistance with Paying Utility Bills and/or the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)
Utility Bills: If you find yourself struggling to pay your utility bills, you are not alone. Many people’s work hours have either been cut back or they have lost their jobs over the past year. Depending on your income level, you could be eligible for assistance from your utility providers. We want to ensure residents…
HB 1300, the “Voting Rights Protection Act,” is Vetoed by Governor Wolf
The year 2020 was hectic for everyone, especially for the U.S. postal service and election officials across the nation, who faced new struggles due to the presidential election and the pandemic. Many Pennsylvanians who haven’t had the desire or ability to vote before did so, and a significant number voted by mail, which was a…
DRYerson Festival 2021: Finally Together Again!
We had a wonderful time at our 15th annual DRYerson festival! It is hard to believe it has been 16 years since we lost Duke Lake, but we are heartened to still gather as a community at Ryerson and celebrate what we have and have fought so hard to protect. On Saturday, June 26th we…
Our Exciting New Logo Centers Our Community-Driven Work
Our organization looks a little different these days: of course, we’ve grown the size of our staff to be better prepared to address the challenges we face in Greene and Washington Counties head-on; but, we’ve also expanded the reach of our work to explicitly include not only environmental justice but also economic justice and how…
We had fun at our Kids’ Fishing Day at Dutch Fork Lake!
The Dutch Fork Lake Free Kids’ Fishing day, offered by CCJ and the BCWA (Buffalo Creek Watershed Association), was a good time for all that came out. All but one of the young ones got to reel in a fish at some point during the day. Not only did participants get to do some fishing,…
Health Advocacy Groups Press PA Department of Health on Monitoring and Testing of Shale Gas Development Emissions, Including Radioactive Waste Streams; Urge More Physician and Community Interaction
Despite the financial inconsistencies, the DOH seemed receptive to the ongoing request for a visit to Southwestern Pennsylvania. Heaven Sensky, Community Organizer for Center for Coalfield Justice, said, “It is absolutely imperative that representatives from the Department of Health, who are making decisions and drawing conclusions about our exposure to harmful fossil fuel extraction, come to our communities and witness themselves what we are facing. One cannot begin to understand the proximity and density of families whose homes and lives have been invaded by the fossil fuel industry without taking the time to witness it. We welcome the Department of Health to our community, and we hope that their experience here will better inform them moving forward with the study.”
Learn where Cecil Township Supervisor candidates stand on our environment
The Center for Coalfield Justice has been working with Cecil Township residents on increasing government engagement, transparency, and protecting the health and environment of the community. As part of this effort, we developed a questionnaire and sent it to every candidate running for Cecil Township Supervisor in the Primary Election. We did not receive a…
Reintroduced bill would finally close Pennsylvania’s hazardous waste loophole
Today, State Representative Sara Innamorato (D-Allegheny) and Senator Katie Muth (D-Berks, Chester, Montgomery) have reintroduced legislation to protect public health by closing a 30-year-old loophole in state laws governing the disposal of toxic drilling waste.