Environmental Legacy of Coal
For more than a century, coal extraction has left behind polluted waterways, unstable lands, damaged ecosystems, and long-term threats to community health. Acid mine drainage, coal ash contamination, land subsidence, and scarred landscapes continue to affect millions of people across coalfield regions. Our work highlights how these environmental harms persist long after mining ends- and why strong, community-centered restoration and oversight are essential to building a healthier future. READ MORE
Longwall Mining
Longwall mining is one of the most destructive forms of modern underground mining, causing widespread subsidence, dewatering of streams, structural damage, methane emissions, and long-term impacts on farms, forests, and public lands. Pennsylvania has become a national case study in the consequences of inadequate regulation and industry pressure, but these problems stretch across every region where longwall is used. We document the impacts, track regulatory failures, and support communities whose homes, waterways, and landscapes are being sacrificed for coal extraction. READ MORE
Water, Air & Public Health
Coal’s full cost is measured in compromised drinking water, toxic air pollution, and the increased burden of disease on coalfield communities. From coal dust to contaminated wells to the lingering effects of mine fires and abandoned sites, the public health impacts are severe and ongoing. We support residents fighting for clean, safe water and air, and we hold agencies accountable when they fail to protect the people they serve. READ MORE
Abandoned Mines & Reclamation
Across coal country, abandoned mines continue to threaten public safety, degrade waterways, and inhibit economic recovery. Billions of dollars in federal funding are now available for reclamation, but community voices and oversight remain crucial. We work to ensure these funds are used responsibly, hazards are prioritized, and regulators are transparent and accountable. READ MORE