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.
Coal Refuse Disposal Areas in Southwestern PA: what are they and what could they be?
Pennsylvania has a rich history of coal mining, which made our state prosperous and put many residents to work. Coal has been used for many purposes, including steel-making and power generation, but the extractive practice of mining coal creates a lot of hazardous waste. For those who live here, it is common to see large…
The Full Picture of Carbon Capture in Pennsylvania
The concept of separating carbon dioxide from fuels and emissions has existed since 1970. Technology has changed since then, but the viability of the process has remained the same. As Sean O’Leary at Ohio River Valley Institute said, “Carbon capture technology is expensive to build and operate. According to recent estimates, it more than doubles…
Demand a 2,500’ Setback for Oil and Gas Facilities
On Monday, October 22, CCJ Organizers Jodi Borello and Tonya Yoders attended a Press Conference in Harrisburg to announce the Setback Campaign introduced by the Clean Air Council and Environmental Integrity Project. They filed a rulemaking petition with the Environmental Quality Board asking to increase the setback distance from fracking wells. We are asking for…
A 30th Anniversary Fundraiser to Remember!
On October 5th, we had the great privilege of hosting our 30th Anniversary Fall Fundraiser and it was definitely one for the books! The Stone Pavilion in Washington Park was the backdrop for our biggest fundraiser of the year. The sun was shining, spirits were high, and our community really turned out with over 100…
The Bigger Issues with OWPG and MERP
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulates oil and gas development in Pennsylvania. DEP shoulders the burden of regulating energy development and protecting the Commonwealth’s intrinsic rights to clean air, water, and the environment. With that contextualized, we will break down some of the recent funding and programs DEP has created and why they are…
Franklin Township Zoning Board Approves More Wells On Cosgray
On August 27, 2024, the Franklin Township Zoning Board in Greene County held a meeting to hear Rice Energy/EQT representatives present their plans for expanding their operations on an existing well pad. The Cosgray well pad is near Bonar Ave and is roughly 1300 ft. from the Waynesburg Hospital. It was initially permitted for ten…
Former Executive Director Veronica Coptis on 30 Years of CCJ’s Evolution
The Center for Coalfield Justice is celebrating 30 years as an organization working to protect our environment, invest in rural and small-town communities, and advocate for justice. Our former Executive Director, Veronica Coptis, discussed some of her thoughts about the milestone and what CCJ has meant for her. Veronica worked at CCJ for over a…
Congratulations, Jodi!
We are so proud of our Community Organizer Jodi Borello, who is being recognized at the 2024 Physicians for Social Responsibility Health Heroes Awards! Jodi testified in front of the 43rd Statewide Grand Jury about the harm the oil and gas industry caused her family and the failure by regulators to protect public health. Her…
Third-party permitting is Coming to Pennsylvania. What Does that Mean for Energy Projects and Impacted Communities?
Every year at the beginning of summer, our Pennsylvania lawmakers spend weeks deciding how the state’s money will be spent in the upcoming year. Each party has priorities and negotiates to determine what will be included in the final budget. This budget season, our lawmakers kept much of their negotiations behind closed doors, and details…