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 the Whole Home Repairs Program?
You may have heard a lot about the Whole-Home Repairs program lately – Governor Shapiro mentioned it twice in his budget proposal for the year, CCJ sent out action alert emails to show support for properly funding the program, and Senator Fetterman recently introduced a bill to pilot a federal version of the program. But…
Cecil Township to Amend Oil and Gas Ordinance on April 3rd
On Monday March 4th, CCJ Organizer Jodi Borello and Organizing Director Heaven Sensky attended a Cecil Township Supervisors Meeting alongside Janice Blanock, a CCJ member and co-organizer of the group MAD-FACTS (Moms and Dads – Family Awareness of Cancer Threat Spike). The supervisors were slated to discuss and vote on the prospect of holding a…
Sen. Fetterman Proposes Groundbreaking Whole Home Repairs Program at the National Level
Washington, PA – Most Americans want the same thing: a safe, secure place to call home. But for too long, elected officials failed to prioritize decent living standards – that is, until 2022, when thanks to the tireless organizing of grassroots organizations and coalitions across Pennsylvania, the state added Whole-Home Repairs to the budget. Whole-Home Repairs became the first program in the nation to establish a one-stop shop for home repairs and weatherization while creating family-sustaining jobs in impacted communities.
What are Legislative Committees and How Do They Affect You?
Legislative committees are an integral part of the democratic process in the United States. They are groups of legislators assigned to study, debate, and amend proposed bills before they are presented to the full House or Senate for a vote. The PA House and Senate write and enact legislation. Each legislative chamber has mirroring committees…
February 2024 Newsletter
Read our monthly e-newsletter, which will update you on our work, current action items, and upcoming events. News and Announcements Read more of our blogs here! Take Action Tell your State Legislators to Support Guaranteed Funding for Whole Home Repairs Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed $50 million in state funding for the “Whole-Home Repairs” program…
Governor Shapiro’s Ten Year Plan Fails to Envision a Just, Sustainable Economy
On January 30th, Governor Shapiro released his administration’s Ten Year Strategic Plan for Economic Development in Pennsylvania. Governor Shapiro could have used this moment to champion a vision for Pennsylvania that invests in sustainable industries that protect the health and financial stability of residents across the Commonwealth. Instead, his plan maintains the status quo by propping up extractive industries for another decade.
The Ram Mine Has Been Denied
Mingo Creek taken by Allison Evans The PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) accepted an application for a new underground mine – the Ram No. 1 Mine – on February 25, 2015. Ram Mining, LLC (RAM), a Kentucky-based company with a history of coal mining in West Virginia and southwestern Virginia, submitted the application. RAM’s…
Ramaco Withdraws Appeal, Ram No. 1 Mine will NOT Be Developed in Washington County!
Washington, PA – In November 2023, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) denied the permit for the Ram No. 1 underground mine in Washington County. This was the DEP’s first denial of a mining permit since 1994.
Yesterday, Ramaco Resources withdrew its appeal of this decision before the Environmental Hearing Board (EHB). With no more pending appeals or permits, it’s official: a mine is actually going to stay closed in southwestern Pennsylvania!
January 2024 Newsletter
Read our monthly e-newsletter, which will update you on our work, current action items, and upcoming events. Learn About Pore Space and Carbon Capture Before You Sell Your Rights! Tenaska Energy, Inc. is reportedly attempting to purchase ‘pore space rights’ from landowners in Washington and Greene Counties for incoming carbon capture and storage projects in the region….
PA Budget Deal Leaves Out Whole-Home Repairs: State Officials Playing Politics with People’s Homes
Washington and Greene Counties need more funding for the program, not less. So far, Washington County has granted awards for workforce development in the construction industry, which should help to address long-standing labor shortages. Greene County has prioritized veterans and disabled resident repairs, with a portion utilized for workforce development.