Our Work
All of our work is informed and directed by people who live in Washington and Greene Counties. We work with people around the issues that are impacting them, which typically fall into four pillars: Coal, Oil/Gas & Petrochemical, Economic Justice, and Democracy. Through our work in these categories, our focus is to invest in the leadership of those who are most impacted and to help create communities of people that possess the skills and analysis to advocate for their basic rights to a healthy environment and thriving economy.
Directly below, you can access more information on the different facets of our work, and our blogs appear beneath, beginning with the most recent.
Updates on our Work
Pennsylvania allows unlimited individual and PAC (Political Action Committees) donations to political candidates’ campaigns. Corporations, like those in the fossil fuel industry, are contributing to elections, creating a pay-to-play scheme […]
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Residents of New Freeport, Pennsylvania have been without safe, drinkable private water since June 2022 following a reported frac-out at a nearby EQT well pad. Since then, residents have been forced to […]
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House Bill 1783 passed on a 187 to 14 vote on Wednesday, June 12th. A large portion of the language in this piece of legislation was taken and amended from […]
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On June 22, CCJ staff, members, supporters, and Ryerson Station State Park visitors gathered at pavilion 2 for the 18th Annual DRYerson Festival and braved the extreme heat wave that […]
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The history of the natural gas industry in southwestern Pennsylvania runs as deep as the Marcellus Shale layer. When we look at the region, and understand how intimately woven the […]
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Washington, Pa. – Today, seven voters, the Center for Coalfield Justice (CCJ), and the Washington Branch NAACP filed a lawsuit against Washington County over the board of elections’ new policy to deliberately conceal information about which voters had made disqualifying errors on their mail-in ballot envelopes and to affirmatively mislead many voters into thinking their mail-in ballots would be counted.
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In May of this year, Washington County opened up a new grant application for the use of the funds. By the time the application closed on June 11th, there were […]
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In a democracy, citizens’ most important duties are to express what they want and need and to elect into government those who demonstrate the willingness to stand up for those […]
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Tonight, Cecil Township convened a public hearing at 6:00 PM to deliberate amendments to its Oil and Gas Ordinance. Community advocates and residents are rallying for increased setbacks beyond the proposed 1,000 feet, emphasizing the urgent need to enhance safety measures.
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Per the Air Pollution Control Act, operations that emit major sources of air pollution are required to obtain, and operate in compliance with an operating permit. In Pennsylvania, these permits are known as Title V Permits. Each permit lays out what kind of pollution is being emitted, how much, and what steps the operator is taking to reduce air pollution. When an operator applies for a new or renewed application, the DEP allows for a 30-day public comment period.
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Critical details regarding the fire that consumed a three-story building owned and operated by Omnis Bailey LLC on May 20 remain unknown. The blaze sent thick black plumes of smoke over miles of Washington and Greene Counties, raising significant public health and safety concerns. Despite the gravity of the situation, neither Omnis Bailey nor CONSOL have provided clear information about the incident, particularly regarding the chemicals involved in the fire beyond diesel fuel.
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When new energy projects are built in our communities, they must go through a thorough permitting process and comply with many state regulations that are meant to protect us. However, […]
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