Center for Coalfield Justice

06/02/2026

🔔 UPDATE: The GRID Standards released by Governor Shapiro last week — which set some voluntary community engagement, economic development and clean energy protections for data centers pursuing fast-tracked permitting and tax breaks — will not apply to projects that were accepted into the Fast Track program prior to February 3rd!

These include 9 projects across the state including Project Hummingbird, located at the former Robena Mine in Greene County.

Shapiro Administration has encouraged developers who are already in its fast track permitting program to use the GRID standards, but says they'll stay on the fast track regardless.

06/02/2026

At yesterday's rally in Harrisburg, CCJ member Carole from McMurray spoke about why her neighbors can't afford to pay rising utility rates just to prop up corporations that don't pay what they owe in taxes and wages.

We can fund the programs that support those struggling to make ends meet if we close the Delaware tax loophole, pass a digital ad tax on Big Tech, and support elected officials who put the needs of our communities first!

Learn more at www.taxbillionairespa.org/

06/01/2026

🎥 We will be screening Friends of Duke Lake during this year's 20th Annual DRYerson Festival on June 27th from 1-4PM. Check out the trailer now!

06/01/2026

Governor Shapiro's new GRID Standards are an imperfect, non-binding approach to addressing some of the concerns raised by communities like ours facing widespread data center development. They tie developers' access to a fast-track program and tax incentives to greater transparency, some clean energy commitments, and opportunities for community engagement. However, they also lack specificity in some crucial areas and fail to mandate any reforms for any potential sites. We continue to call for a moratorium and the development of real, binding standards that put communities first.

06/01/2026

Data center developers have been documented as requiring local elected officials (and other stakeholders, such as landowners and construction companies) to sign non-disclosure agreements so projects aren't shared with the public before applications are submitted. These agreements keep communities in the dark about proposals that would impact their utility bills, environment, and health.

Dave Spigelmyer, head of community and government relations for International Electric Power, said in a public hearing last year, “absolutely there have been NDAs signed” around Project Hummingbird, the 1,400-acre data center campus and natural gas plant planned for Greene County, PA.

Pennsylvania has a chance to improve transparency and protect residents by passing House Bill 2359, which prohibits local and state government officials from signing any sort of confidentiality agreement concerning the construction, development, or location of a data center.

Use our one-click form at the link in the comments to tell your state rep to vote YES on HB 2359 today!

05/28/2026

05/28/2026

We had a great meeting yesterday in Peters Township presenting our "Who Broke the Economy" training to a ton of new folks who are fed up with business as usual in Pennsylvania.

Attendees learned about the history of PA's broken economic system, the corporate players who have profited off it, and what a fairer future could look like if we for all!

Join our mailing list to learn about more opportunities like this one: https://secure.everyaction.com/PAKTl7AVv0SQp7f4-S44Lw2?ms=fb

05/27/2026

⛽️ People's Natural Gas is seeking authorization to increase rates for PA customers in order to raise more than $160 million in added revenue.

🗣️ Affected customers have a few opportunities to submit public testimony in-person or via phone in early June to explain why raising rates for home gas use in the middle of an affordability crisis is unacceptable.

📅 Attend in person on June 2nd in Johnstown, June 3rd in Pittsburgh, or June 10th in Greensburg or call in on June 11th. More info available in the flyer or by contacting 1-800-684-6560 or [email protected]

05/27/2026

Thanks to everyone who made it out for our annual Free Kids Fishing Day at Dutch Fork Lake this Sunday!

We celebrated Pennsylvania's Fish for Free Day by giving away free poles and bait to dozens of kids and families. It's always so much fun to see first-time fishers alongside experienced anglers making memories together in Western PA!

Events like this are exactly why CCJ fought so hard to protect Dutch Fork Lake from coal mining and why we continue empowering communities with the resources they need to advocate for the outdoor resources they love!