2014
- CCC was instrumental in the Environmental Protection Agency’s landmark fine of $27.5 million against Alpha Natural Resources for more than 6,000 permit violations. The settlement included an additional $200 million for improving wastewater treatment to reduce illegal discharges. CCC provided the EPA with more than 72,000 pages of documents detailing the violations at the Emerald Mine facility and had also filed a lawsuit to hold Alpha Natural Resources accountable.
- CCC secured an historic DC meeting between leaders from coal impacted communities and Interior Secretary Sally Jewell. Leaders provided evidence of the coal industry’s law breaking and pressed for stronger enforcement of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA). In the 36 years since SMCRA was passed, this is the first meeting among citizen leaders from every region and the Interior secretary.
- A groundbreaking study The Illusion of Environmental Protection commissioned by CCC and prepared by Schmid & Co. brought to light chronic failures in the permit review process within the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP). The in-depth analysis found that significant omissions in coal mining permits accepted by the PADEP put Pennsylvania's precious water resources in danger.
- In 2009 the PADEP upgraded five streams in Greene County, Pennsylvania as "Exceptional Value" streams. In 2014, CCC hired Dr. Ben Stout to conduct a bioassessment study of a few streams in a recently approved Bailey Mine Expansion permit area in Greene County. It was determined that at least two streams in the mine permit revision area qualify as Exceptional Value waters. CCC submitted a letter to the PADEP requesting that the Department confirm the attained uses of the streams at risk in the recently approved permit area and pending mining applications, and protect them at the appropriate level.
- CCC on behalf of its members from LaBelle and with the help of Environmental Integrity Project and Public Justice filed a lawsuit in 2013 against Matt Canestrale Contracting (MCC) over illegal disposal of coal ash that is polluting local streams with extremely high levels of sulfate, iron, manganese and other salts that damage aquatic life and subjecting the LaBelle community with fugitive particulate matter pollution that blows from trucks hauling the coal ash without covers.