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.
Lexington Herald-Leader: Mitch McConnell owes coal miners an answer as clock runs out on tax for black lung victims
In a powerful new editorial, the Lexington Herald-Leader demands answers for sick coal miners and their families about whether funding for the Black Lung Disability Fund will be slashed at the end of the year. As the editorial explains, this proposed cut to the Trust...
E&E News: Advocates frustrated by inaction on black lung, cleanup bill
An E&E News story published today highlights Congress's inaction on the RECLAIM Act and the issues facing the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund. The story features quotes from retired miner and ACLC client Kenny Fleming (pictured above, left) and ACLC staff Eric Dixon....
Mother Jones: Their Water Became Undrinkable. Then They Were Ordered to Pay More for It.
In this recent Mother Jones article, ACLC attorney Mary Cromer discusses the Martin County water crisis and the recent Order requiring the county's water district to obtain outside management. -- “I personally can’t imagine how privatization could work in the county,”...
AP: Coal miners urge Congress extension of black lung funding
The Associated Press has a story today about the trip that ACLC clients, staff and partner organizations made this week to Washington, DC to demand an extension of the excise tax that funds benefits and medical treatment for miners suffering from black lung disease. ...
The Nation: “Appalachia Already Has a Plan To Get Past Coal”
Yesterday, The Nation posted an article regarding economic transition in Central Appalachia. The article features ACLC's Coordinator of Policy and Community Engagement, Eric Dixon. "As a region we have an opportunity to invest in projects that could actually create...
The Appalachian Voice: Battling for Black Lung Benefits
ACLC attorney Evan Smith was quoted in Kevin Ridder's article about the impending decrease in funding for federal black lung benefits. Unless Congress acts before the end of the year, tax revenues to compensate disabled coal miners and their widows will be cut by...
NPR: ‘You Just Don’t Touch That Tap Water Unless Absolutely Necessary’
ACLC attorney Mary Cromer, fellow Ricki Draper and ACLC clients are featured today in an NPR story about Martin County's continuing water problems. "This isn't just confined to Martin County. This isn't just confined to Appalachia. We have dilapidated infrastructure...
Action Alert: Tell Governor Matt Bevin to Declare State of Emergency to Address Water Crisis in Eastern Kentucky
If you've been following the news out of Martin County, Kentucky, you'd know that the eastern half of the county spent the past weekend without any water at all. We're encouraging everyone to sign the following petition from the good folks over at Food & Water Watch,...
Press Release: Citizens Challenge Kentucky’s Decision to Allow Radioactive Waste to Remain in Estill County Landfill
June 7, 2018 CITIZENS CHALLENGE KENTUCKY’S DECISION TO ALLOW RADIOACTIVE WASTE TO REMAIN IN ESTILL COUNTY LANDFILL For more information contact: Tom Bonny: (606) 975-5025 Mary Cromer: (540) 817-9652 Michael “Bucky” Wilson: (859) 396-3011 Nancy Farmer: (606) 723-2324...