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.
HARLAN ENTERPRISE: Blackjewel properties risk abandonment in bankruptcy case
“This is another example of how devastating these coal bankruptcies are for our area,” said Mary Varson Cromer, deputy director of the Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center. “Blackjewel’s bankruptcy is especially disastrous for Eastern Kentucky. First, the miners had to...
OHIO VALLEY RESOURCE: RECLAIM Act To Boost Coal Communities Passes House As Part Of Infrastructure Bill
"The bill, called the Moving Forward Act, includes funding for roads and bridges, rural broadband, drinking water system repairs, renewable energy, and affordable housing, all of which Democrats say would create millions of jobs and help the economy recover from the...
PRESS RELEASE: RECLAIM Act Passes the House as part of H.R. 2, The Moving Forward Act
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday July 1, 2020 Media Contact: Rebecca Shelton, Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center, rshelton@aclc.org, 859-893-0543 RECLAIM Act Passes the House as part of H.R. 2, The Moving Forward Act Today the RECLAIM Act (H.R. 2156) passed the U.S....
PRESS RELEASE: Black Lung Association supports UMWA and USW suit against MSHA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday June 30, 2020 Media Contact: Rebecca Shelton, (859) 893-0543, rshelton@aclc.org Courtney Rhoades, (423) 262 -6154, courtney@aclc.org Black Lung Association supports UMWA and USW suit against MSHA Note: Officers of the National Black Lung...
WV PUBLIC BROADCASTING: Environmental Groups Tell Bankruptcy Court Blackjewel Continues To Skirt Obligations
"In a letter submitted to the bankruptcy court on Wednesday, Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center and eight other groups said the majority of the companies’ surface mine permits in West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia have not been transferred to new operators as the...
IMPACT FUND: Martin County Kentucky Residents Say “Enough” To Expensive Unsafe Drinking Water
The Impact Fund is a foundation that, according to their website, "uses impact litigation to support social justice for marginalized communities and provides legal support for lawyers through grants, co-counsel and training events." We are grateful for the Impact...
PRESS RELEASE: Environmental Groups Notify Bankruptcy Judge of Blackjewel’s Inadequate Action on Appalachian Coal Mine Clean-Up & Environmental Violations
In coalition with numerous concerned environmental groups, ACLC submitted a letter to the US Bankruptcy Court this week outlining concerns about Blackjewel's lack of action on mine clean-up and increasing environmental violations. This coalition includes: Powder River...
ACLC Stands In Solidarity
The Staff and Board at Appalachian Citizens' Law Center have issued a statement in support of those demanding an end to structural racism and racial injustice. #blacklivesmatter Please read: ACLC Stands in...
OHIO VALLEY RESOURCE: Coal and COVID-19: Lung Impairment Makes Miners Especially Vulnerable To Coronavirus
ACLC'S Black Lung Organizer, Courtney Rhoades, was recently interviewed for an article describing the difficulty many miners with black lung disease face during the COVID-19 pandemic. "In Letcher County, Courtney Rhoades, a black lung association organizer with the...