Center for Coalfield Justice

10/16/2026

Washington County, Greene County, and Beaver County residents! The 2026 Election is coming up quickly; we will head to the polls on Tuesday, November 3rd. Read CCJ's latest blog for a guide on what will be on your ballot this year!

https://centerforcoalfieldjustice.org/2026/10/whats-on-your-ballot-november-2026/?ms=FB

10/15/2026

📢 Public Hearings Updates for October and November 📢

October 19th at 7:00 p.m.
Marianna Borough Monthly Council Meeting
Borough Council Chamber, 1 Procasky Road, Marianna, PA
Topic: Consideration of adoption of Ordinance No. 3 of 2026, regulating street openings and pavement restoration, and Ordinance No. 4 of 2026, regulating data centers.

October 20th at 6:30 p.m.
Independence Township Board of Supervisors Meeting
Independence Twp. Municipal Building, 34 Campbell Street, Avella, PA
Topic: Public hearing on a Data Center Ordinance

October 21st at 6:00 p.m.
Jefferson Township Board of Supervisors Meeting
Jefferson Twp. Volunteer Fire Dept., 12 Fire Road, Burgettstown, PA
Topic: Public hearing on adopting a Data Center Ordinance

October 28th, November 10th, November 11th at 6:00 p.m.
Hanover Township Conditional Use Public Hearings
Hanover Fire Dept., 9 Starck Drive, Burgettstown, PA
Topic: The Hanover Township Board of Supervisors is continuing its public hearings on a conditional use permit for a data center at Starpointe Business Park.

10/14/2026

Concerned about surging energy demand fueled by data centers, environmental groups urge state regulators to increase minimum protective buffer distances around gas wells.

10/13/2026

Attention Greene & Washington County residents! Tomorrow, October 14th, is the deadline for public comments regarding the meeting held last week regarding recommendations for grid modernization to develop new electric generation at deactivated power plants, otherwise known as the PATER study. The Elrama Power plant in Elrama, PA, Hatfield's Ferry Power Station in Carmichaels, PA, and Mitchell Power Station in New Eagle, PA are all listed in the report. Read the report linked below and make your voice heard before it’s too late!

Comments must be eFiled with the Secretary of the Commission by opening an eFiling account through the Commission's website and accepting eService at puc.pa.gov/filing-resources/efiling/.

To read the full preliminary report, click here:
https://www.puc.pa.gov/pcdocs/1951898.pdf?fbclid=IwSU9FWAUuqwVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mBXNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHoEa0jal8gylvi7XzR6VBohn0mNhm74hnn7OJCVbeUeHpk7V16ZnXjBsR9pV_aem_1XlM9e_ZoHmcyKnX-UDB_A

10/13/2026

TOMORROW AT 6PM: Join us at October MAD-FACTS Impossible Town Screening for a screening and discussion of 'Impossible Town,' a documentary about Minden, West Virginia residents facing an environmental health crisis after PCB contamination was found in their community. We'll watch the film, discuss its connection to the health harms in our own community, and explore takeaways that can help us protect and fight for our families and neighbors.

Register now and join us at 69 E Beau St on Wednesday, October 14th: https://centerforcoalfieldjustice.org/event/october-mad-facts-impossible-town-screening/

10/13/2026

Join ProtectPT and MWA tonight, October 13, at 7:00 pm for a webinar about the proposed Kammer-Juniata Electric Line. RSVP at protectpt.info/kjmeeting

The webinar will include context for the proposal, presentations from two speakers, and time to answer your questions.

Elizabeth Marx, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project, will join Darryl Lawrence, who serves as the Consumer Advocate of Pennsylvania, to discuss the proposed high-powered electric line.

The proposal will affect landowners across the southwestern region of Pennsylvania and serve as a key building block for powering data centers. This project will be funded using money from your utility bill.

Now is the time to learn more about how this proposed electric super-highway will affect you and your neighbors!

10/12/2026

Hey PA, are you ready for the upcoming election? Here are three important deadlines you won’t want to forget!

🗳️Voter registration/re-registration must be completed by October 19th.�
🗳️Mail-in ballot applications must be received by your County Election Office by 5:00 PM on October 27th.
🗳️Mail-in ballots must be received by your County Election Office by 8:00 PM on November 3rd.

Register to vote, apply for a mail-in ballot, find your polling place and more at vote.pa.gov!
For any questions, please email CCJ at [email protected].

10/10/2026

10/10/2026

CCJ would like to thank everyone who came out to Raise a Ruckus for our 12th Annual Fall Fundraiser! Thanks to the generosity of our amazing community, we were able to raise $4,833 to support our work educating and empowering our neighbors in Greene and Washington Counties.

This year, we were proud to present our Agitator Awards to three people who have taken on fights of their own for their neighbors and families: Kimberly Barton, Melodee Hursey, and Sherri Martin. This award celebrates community members who refuse to stay quiet. These are the neighbors who show up, speak out, and push for a future where coalfield communities have a real say in the decisions that shape their homes and health. Thank you for all that you do, Kimberly, Melodee, and Sherri!

We are so grateful for our sponsors, Sierra Club - Allegheny Group, Washington County Watershed Alliance, Washington County Gay Straight Alliance, Inc. - WCGSA, and Washington And Greene Counties AFL-CIO Central Labor Council for supporting our work and helping us make a positive impact. Thanks to Fiddlin' Ray Buckman and Mitch Hall for filling the pavilion with the sounds of bluegrass and folk tunes throughout the night. And special thanks to all of the local businesses, organizations and community members who donated items for our raffle and auction!