Environmental Justice
Citizens Coal Council works to ensure that no community is forced to carry an unfair share of the environmental and health burdens caused by coal mining, coal processing, or coal waste. Our Environmental Justice work supports frontline coalfield residents through community organizing, education, and advocacy that confronts pollution, unsafe mining practices, and regulatory failures. We elevate the voices of those most impacted and push for policies that protect air, water, land, and public health- so every community has the right to a safe, clean, and healthy environment. READ MORE
Climate Solutions
Climate change is not an abstract national issue in the coalfields- it is shaping our daily reality. CCC advances climate solutions that honor coalfield workers, protect communities, and prioritize long-term resilience over short-term profits. Our work focuses on reducing methane from abandoned mines, ensuring coal companies meet their cleanup obligations, supporting clean-energy transitions that benefit local residents, and advocating for policies that bring fairness and accountability to the sectors most responsible for climate impacts. We believe that climate progress must uplift coalfield communities, not leave them behind. READ MORE
Economic Justice & Transition
Coalfield communities deserve a fair, realistic pathway into the future- and that starts with economic justice. CCC works to secure federal investments, community-driven development, and just transition policies that put people first, not corporations. Our economic transition work includes watchdog oversight of mine cleanup funds, advocating for local hiring and workforce programs, supporting small community-led projects, and fighting for economic diversification so coalfield communities can thrive long after mining ends. A fairer economy is possible when transition planning is transparent, equitable, and rooted in community needs. READ MORE
Transparency & Accountability
For decades, coalfield residents have witnessed decisions made about their communities without their involvement- or against their interests. CCC is committed to changing that narrative by demanding transparency, enforcing accountability, and strengthening public participation in regulatory and legislative processes. We monitor permits, track violations, submit public comments, engage in litigation when necessary, and ensure that mining laws are enforced as Congress intended. When agencies or corporations fail to protect the public, CCC steps in to hold them accountable. READ MORE