Across coalfield communities, the stakes are high: the land, water, and health of families depend on strong oversight and enforcement of mining laws. When regulatory protections weaken or go unenforced, communities face real, lasting harm- and the voices of those most affected are often ignored.
Citizens Coal Council works to ensure that federal and state agencies are held accountable, that laws meant to protect people and the environment are upheld, and that families have a meaningful way to defend their homes and communities. Our work matters because without it, coalfield residents are left vulnerable to powerful industry interests with little recourse.
As the year comes to a close, coalfield communities are facing a growing crisis: the federal agency meant to protect them is being gutted just as mining threats intensify.
OSMRE Is Critically Understaffed
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) is responsible for mine oversight, enforcing environmental laws, and responding when coal companies damage homes, water, and land. But after losing more than half its staff under the Trump Administration, the agency now has only about 200 employees nationwide.
The result is fewer inspections, fewer enforcement actions, and fewer protections for families living with blasting, subsidence, and water contamination.
A Key Community Protection Is Under Attack
For many coalfield residents, the Ten-Day Notice (TDN) rule is the only effective way to prompt action when regulators fail. When a citizen reports a violation, OSMRE must notify the state and give ten days to respond- after which OSMRE can step in.
But on September 9, 2024, fourteen states sued to eliminate the TDN rule. Without it, communities could lose one of their last remaining tools to hold regulators and industry accountable.
Citizens Coal Council- alongside Appalachian Voices, Sierra Club, and the Center for Biological Diversity, and represented by Kentucky Resources Council-is fighting in court to defend this critical safeguard.
Your Support Makes This Possible
Citizens Coal Council is intentionally small and community-rooted, but supporting communities requires resources. Your year-end contribution helps us:
- Defend the Ten-Day Notice rule
- Push for stronger oversight and enforcement
- Support families experiencing mining damage
- Hold regulators and coal companies accountable
- Protect land, water, and health across coalfield communities
Please consider a tax-deductible year-end donation today. Together, we can protect these essential safeguards and ensure coalfield communities are not left behind.