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.
Where Are We Now? An Opioid Settlement Fund Update
OVERVIEW The development of OxyContin, along with the massive proliferation of opioid usage that followed, remains today one of the greatest struggles in many areas of the United States. People suffer, families are fractured, and communities remain injured by the onslaught of addiction. When folks hear the term “opioid crisis,” nearly everyone can picture either…
Fracking Wastewater Injection Wells: A False Solution to an Ever Growing Problem
This is the 12th blog in our Examining Climate series, where CCJ staff members and others will be sharing their favorite (or least favorite) climate solution, looking at the benefits and the costs in the hope of sparking an honest conversation about how we address the climate crisis and keep our focus on environmental justice….
Greene County: Easiest Place to Buy a Home?
In the past six months, national news has recognized my home county as one of the “easiest” places to buy a home. Growing up in Greene County, I just assumed that I would always live there. I thought that I would either buy a house somewhere within the county or I would build one near…
Explaining PJM Part 3: Data Center Disaster
Our grid, PJM, just finished up its next capacity auction for 2026/27, and to no surprise, the bill is high. We will break down the context of these evolving issues and why there will be little price relief for consumers in the next 5 years. What happened in the auction? The bottom line is that…
Is Assessing Cumulative Impacts Unconstitutional?
The impact of Seven County Infrastructure Coalition et. al. v. Eagle County et. al. In much of our advocacy, we at the Center for Coalfield Justice talk about cumulative impacts and what they mean for the communities that we live and work in. This summer, while advocating in D.C. for the Environmental Justice for All…
Demystifying Data Centers
Data Centers and the Like The recent surge in data center and AI facility development across Pennsylvania is driven by the state’s “strategic” location, access to affordable energy, and a burgeoning tech workforce. However, this rapid expansion raises several concerns that could pose significant challenges for all Pennsylvanians. Let’s explore data centers and their impacts…
DRYerson 2025: Remembering the Past, & Looking Forward to the Future
This year’s 19th annual DRYerson festival was a little extra special. This year, we commemorated the 20th anniversary of the draining of the beloved Duke Lake at Ryerson Station State Park due to damage from mining operations. With the gift of beautiful weather, the Center for Coalfield Justice staff, Friends of Ryerson, PA Department of…
Cecil Residents Win Against Range in Zoning Challenge
For years, residents of Cecil Township have been asking their elected officials for more extensive protections concerning oil and gas development in their community. After several revisions and years of debate, the Cecil Township Board of Supervisors answered their call. On November 4, 2024, the Cecil Board of Supervisors voted on and approved Ordinance No….
Is your Home Sitting Above an Old Coal Mine? Learn How to Submit a Coal Status Report
What is happening? Just this past December (2025) the horrific story of Elizabeth Pollard was reported; She was the grandmother who tragically died falling into an abandoned mine sinkhole while looking for her lost cat in Unity Township, PA. Also making prior local news headlines, in May of 2023 a large sinkhole formed in Daisytown,…
Tire Pyrolysis: A False Solution for the Mon Valley
This is the 11th blog in our Examining Climate series, where CCJ staff members and others will be sharing their favorite (or least favorite) climate solution, looking at the benefits and the costs in the hope of sparking an honest conversation about how we address the climate crisis and keep our focus on environmental justice….