We fight for
- Justice in the coalfields
- Miners’ Health & Safety
- environmental justice
- a better future
The Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center
is a nonprofit law firm that fights
for justice in the coalfields by:
Representing coal miners and their families on issues of black lung and mine safety
Working with grassroots groups and individuals to protect the land and people from misuse and degradation caused by extractive industries
Analyzing and advocating for policy that addresses the legacy costs of the coal industry and invests in the future of the region
Photo copyright Earl Dotter
News & Articles
- Historic Progress to Curb Black Lung Marred by Missed OpportunitiesMSHA’s Long-Awaited Silica Dust Standard Relies too Much on the Coal Mine Operators who Created Crisis Contact: Trey Pollard, trey@pollardcommunications.com, 202-904-9187 COAL COUNTRY – Yesterday, the Biden Administration’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) released a final silica dust rule meant to protect coal miners from exposure to respirable silica. Silica dust is the principal […]
- Community Advocates Welcome Cartwright’s New Legislation to Fight Zombie Mine CrisisCartwright’s Coal Cleanup Taxpayer Protection Act and Bond Improvement and Reclamation Assurance Act Will Restore Accountability and Safeguard Communities APPALACHIA — Community advocates from across Pennsylvania and Appalachia celebrated the introduction of two bills by Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Penn., that would take crucial action to address some of the root causes of the “zombie mine” […]
- University of Kentucky Starfire Research ComplexAuthor: Brendan Muckian-Bates, Policy & Advocacy Associate In 2005, one year after the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative (ARRI) was formed, the University of Kentucky’s retired chair of the Department of Forestry, Don Graves, provided insight into what the future of this new initiative would entail. “If we get surface mines back into production,” Graves stated, […]
We’ve got
your back.
ACLC works with coal miners, their families and residents of the coalfields who are seeking justice. We provide legal services free of charge.
Black lung victims and widows
Landowners trying to prevent mining
And many more.
Pursuing justice by empowering Appalachian communities
We work to prevent the rampant abuse of Appalachian communities from extractive industries by:
Uniting direct legal work with advocacy, policy, and research on issues of environmental justice and miners’ health and safety
Securing millions of dollars in black lung benefits for coal miners and their survivors
Representing hundreds of Appalachian citizens in defense of a safe and clean environment
Partnering with a broad coalition of aligned organizations to craft and support strong policy initiatives that expand protections for Central Appalachian workers and communities
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