Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center
FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE IN THE COALFIELDS
FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE IN THE COALFIELDS
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 and by working with grassroots groups and individuals to protect the land and people from misuse and degradation caused by extractive industries.
OHIO VALLEY RESOURCE: Black Lung Benefits Drop For Kentucky Coal Miners After Controversial Law Change
In a recent article from Ohio Valley Resource, journalist Sydney Boles explains a controversial change that Kentucky lawmakers made two years ago, making it more difficult for miners with black lung to access benefits. "Two years ago, Kentucky lawmakers made a...
ACLC IN GERMANY: Working Together to Support Transitioning Coal Communities
We spent today in Berlin in discussions with government ministry officials and a diverse set of leaders involved in designing policy to support coal miners and mining communities. They explained to us that they understood the coal industry was changing whether they...
ACLC IN GERMANY: Supporting Entrepreneurs in a Transitioning Economy
Rebecca Shelton, our coordinator of policy and organizing, continued her trip today with a second stop in East Germany. --- Today we continued our stay in East Germany. We started the day by visiting with the manager of a multi-purpose, reinvented building space in...
ACLC IN GERMANY: Open Pit Mining Transition Efforts in East Germany
Today, we were in East Germany learning about the history and future of coal mining here. In East Germany, they use open pit mining to extract lignite coal (see below for photos and a quick explanation of open pit mining!). The lignite coal layer is about 42 feet...
ACLC IN GERMANY: Coal Transitions Abroad
This week our Coordinator of Policy and Organizing, Rebecca Shelton, is in Germany learning about the policies and programs that have been put in place by the government to support communities where the coal industry is phasing out. Rebecca describes her experience in...
The Weather Channel: “Fighting for Clean Drinking Water”
The Weather Channel released "Fighting for Clean Drinking Water" on February 3rd, as part of their 2020: Race to Save the Planet series on Environmental Justice. In the video, Nina McCoy of the Martin County Concerned Citizens and ACLC's Deputy Director Mary Cromer...
CDC Releases “Faces of Black Lung II”
The CDC just released Faces of Black Lung II, an informative video about the increase in complicated black lung disease in Central Appalachia. radiologist Dr. Brandon Crum and epidemiologist Dr. Cara Halldin are featured in this video along with miners and families...
Ohio Valley Resource: Bankrupt Blackjewel Coal Still Racking Up Environmental Violations, Officials Warn
At yesterday's hearing on the Blackjewel bankruptcy, ACLC's Deputy Director Mary Cromer testified. "At the same hearing, Appalachian Citizens Law Center attorney Mary Cromer, speaking on behalf of a number of environmental nonprofit groups, told the judge that despite...
Public News Service: Report Identifies Redevelopment Projects for Abandoned Coal Mine Sites
Rebecca Shelton, ACLC's Coordinator of Policy and Organizing, was interviewed by Public News Service regarding Abandoned Mine Land pilot project funds, and the potential for innovative reclamation projects. "'The goals are really to fund what we describe as innovative...