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Created by: Alexandra Tropea and Susannah Geletko
Center for Coalfield Justice
The Center for Coalfield Justice is a non-profit organization that addresses the effects of coal mining on the environment and in local communities. The Center for Coalfield Justice deals with issues pertinent in the Washington area such as longwall mining and coalbed methane drilling. These popular practices often cause harm to the land and homes located in and around the coal mining areas. The Center for Coalfield Justice provides community outreach by educating citizens about the effects of longwall mining and coalbed methane drilling, and also informs those affected by these mining practices of their legal rights. The Center for Coalfield Justice is dedicated to advocating for just laws, regulations, and policies concerning coal mining.
History
The Center for Coalfield Justice was formed in 1994 by individuals concerned with the effects of popular mining practices in the Washington area. This organization was originally called the "Tri-State Citizens Mining Network". The organization incorporated in 1999 and was re-organized as The Center for Coalfield Justice in 2007. The Center for Coalfield Justice is dedicated to helping victims of coalfield injustice. This organization educates the community, supports affected citizens, organizes media events, and advocates for just laws and litigation of local issues. The Center for Coalfield Justice is made up of individual citizens and member groups such as the Citizens Coal Council, Mountain Watershed Association, Ten Mile Protection Network, West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, Prosperity Portal, PEACE, Friends of McConnell's Mills State Park, Inc., Crooked Creek Watershed Association, Wheeling Creek Watershed Conservancy, PA Chapter Sierra Club, TEAM, FORWARD, and Concerned Citizens of Ligonier. The Center for Coalfield Justice also has a Board of Directors made up of volunteers from the Washington area.
Helping Washington County Citizens Since 1994
The Center for Coalfield Justice states that its mission is: to educate and to lead, coordinate and assist citizens' efforts to defend their rights, to protect the environment, and to improve and enforce laws and public policy regarding the mining and use of coal. The organization has been standing by this motto in the 14 years that it has been helping the citizens of Washington County. The main role this organization currently holds within the community is to provide education and outreach. The organization does this primarily by providing concerned citizens with information and organizing assistance. This group also helps citizens prepare for public hearings. In fact, one of the greatest resources that this association offers is that it provides information about the rights of citizens living on coalfield property. The Center for Coalfield Justice also organizes rallies and protests for important mining issues. A current project the organization is working on is the protest of Foundation Energy's plan to downgrade the only high quality warm water fishing stream in Greene County---the whole South Fork of Ten Mile. While this is not only detrimental to the environment and the people who enjoy fishing and recreational activities at the stream, it could also set a precedent for all streams in Pennsylvania which would only give the coal companies more power than they already have. This event, as well as all others, is open to the community. The Center for Coalfield Justice welcomes all citizens to join them in the fight against coal companies.
The College and Coal Mining
Washington & Jefferson College has recently become very involved with the Center for Coalfield Justice. One example of W&J's involvement is an opportunity for students to help the Center for Coalfield Justice to make signs for upcoming community action programs. This opportunity is available to all W&J students during this year's National Volunteer Week, April 27th through May 3rd, 2008. This event gives W&J students who may not know about this local organization an opportunity to get involved. The Center for Coalfield Justice is also looking for Washington & Jefferson College students to intern with them in the fall. Positions available are an Assistant Community Organizer and an Administrative Assistant. These positions will give students who are interested in environmental issues experience addressing local problems caused by coal mining and will also give students experience in the management of a non-profit organization. Elliot Swauger, a W&J student, currently volunteers with the Center for Coalfield Justice. Two other students, Kyle McGregor and Amanda Bundick, volunteer as well. Washington & Jefferson College faculty are also involved with the Center for Coalfield Justice. Dr. Robert East, Associate Professor and Director of the Environmental Studies Program at W&J, is on the Board of Directors for the Center for Coalfield Justice. Dr. East also incorporates environmental issues addressed by the Center for Coalfield Justice into his Environmental Studies courses. As you can see from these examples, many students and faculty from the W&J community are actively involved in this local organization.
Events and Setting 
When walking into the small office that houses the Center for Coalfield Justice, the first thing you'll notice is all of the brightly colored signs and posters hung around the office. These signs and posters display pictures of different homes and water ecosystems that have been ravaged by longwall mining and also have funny quotes about the evils of mining. One sign says, "Consol talks so nice and slick, but house is broken water's sick." Another signs states, "The air is black no longer clear but don' t you worry CCJ is here!"
These signs demonstrate the hope that the employees have for truly making the environment a better place to live. While at first glance it may seem disorganized and hard to find where things belong, upon closer inspection you will realize that the three desks each have a method to their madness. It is obvious that there is a lot that needs to be done which can be seen by the stacks of paper on each desk. Another hint to the busyness of the organization can be heard as the phone rings consistently and the employees answer the questions of interested citizens. The office of the CCJ is a really vibrant, upbeat place that houses people who truly care about the welfare of the citizens that they are helping.
Interview with Elliot Swauger, Student Volunteer
Conducted on 4/28/2008 and written by Alexandra Tropea
Being an Environmental Studies major, I was excited when Dr. East, my professor took our class to an open house at the CCJ and first introduced me to this organization. It's especially a great place to volunteer because it is so close to the college and it's really easy to see the results of our work. Since becoming involved with the organization, I've really grown to feel strongly about it because I've become such good friends with some of the other employees and have heard their first hand stories and experiences. Some of the things I've learned since I've started to volunteer here are the truly horrendous environmental atrocities created by coal mining, with longwall mining being particularly bad. A major effect of longwall mining is the subsidence of water ecosystems. This subsidence then spreads to cause major ground cracks often on or near roadways which taxpayers must then pay to have repaired. By far though, I feel that the social consequences of longwall mining are the greatest.
People's homes and lives are being destroyed by the effects of longwall mining. Often the water tables that become disturbed lie on property that is farmed. This is especially detrimental to the owners because without a source of water to feed livestock and to use for irrigation, often the farm is then forced to shut down leaving the owners without a source of income. It's not just individual families that are affected as well, in Greene County, a once popular recreation area, Duke Lake, is now reduced to a muddy puddle. The most important thing that I have learned so far is this: "When you take the time to look at the people and places that are affected by longwall mining, you see that the actual cost of coal is far greater than what we pay." 
How to Get There
1. Walk north down Lincoln Street towards the Greek housing.
2. At the intersection of North Lincoln and Chestnut Street, make a left down Chestnut Street.
3. Continue to follow Chestnut Street and cross North College Street.
4. The Center for Coalfield Justice will be located on the left at 96 East Chestnut Street.
Where to Start: How to Get Involved
- Call the organization at (724) 229-3550 or stop by the office
- Internships are available during the school year for students
- General volunteers are also needed for organizing events and helping at the workshops
- By following the link to the CCJ's homepage, you may fill out a volunteer form to become involved
- Talk to Virginia Beck, Volunteer Coordinator of W&J's Office of Volunteer Services