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Appalachian Citizens' Law Center

We Fight for Justice in the Coalfields

  • Who We Are
    • About Us
    • Staff & Board
    • Internships & Fellowships
    • Contact
    • Financials
  • What We Do
    • Environmental Justice
    • Miners’ Health & Safety
    • Policy & Research
    • Advocacy
  • Get Help
    • Federal Black Lung Benefits
    • Black Lung Associations
    • Environmental Problems
    • Mine Safety Discrimination
  • Take Action
  • News
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We fight for

  • Justice in the coalfields
  • Miners’ Health & Safety
  • environmental justice
  • a better future
coal miner with coal dust on face

The Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center

is a nonprofit law firm that fights
for justice in the coalfields by:

Representing coal miners and their families on issues of black lung and mine safety


Working with grassroots groups and individuals to protect the land and people from misuse and degradation caused by extractive industries


Analyzing and advocating for policy that addresses the legacy costs of the coal industry and invests in the future of the region

Learn more about our mission

Photo copyright Earl Dotter

News & Articles

  • S&P GLOBAL: With US coal jobs decimated, groups look to Biden to aid regional transition

    February 17, 2021ACLC NewsJust Transition

    Director of Policy and Organizing, Rebecca Shelton, was interviewed by S&P Global for a recent story about the need for policies that support coal communities after coal’s collapse. “It’s been devastating,” said Rebecca Shelton, director of policy and organizing at Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center. “The coal mining industry has been on the decline for decades, […]
  • ACLC NEWS: Rebecca Shelton promoted to Director of Policy & Organizing

    February 8, 2021ACLC News

    Former coordinator of policy and organizing, Rebecca Shelton, has been promoted to director of policy and organizing. Thank you for all your continued great work, Rebecca, and congratulations! Rebecca joined ACLC’s staff in July 2019 after serving as a summer research intern with us in the summer of 2018. Before joining ACLC, she was engaged […]
  • UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY: UK research seeks to understand and reduce environmental exposures in Eastern Kentucky

    February 4, 2021ACLC NewsEnvironmentalWater

    ACLC is part of a large research project aimed at reducing drinking water exposure to disinfection byproducts in Martin and Letcher Counties. This five year project was recently funded by the NIH National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. We look forward to working alongside researchers at the University of Kentucky, the Martin County Concerned Citizens, […]
Group of ACLC staff members

We’ve got
your back.

ACLC works with coal miners, their families and residents of the coalfields who are seeking justice. We provide legal services free of charge.

Black lung victims and widows


Landowners trying to prevent mining


And many more.

Contact Us

Pursuing justice by empowering Appalachian communities

We work to prevent the rampant abuse of Appalachian communities from extractive industries by:

Uniting direct legal work with advocacy, policy, and research on issues of environmental justice and miners’ health and safety


Securing millions of dollars in black lung benefits for coal miners and their survivors


Representing hundreds of Appalachian citizens in defense of a safe and clean environment


Partnering with a broad coalition of aligned organizations to craft and support strong policy initiatives that expand protections for Central Appalachian workers and communities

Get Involved

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Appalachian Citizens' Law Center

317 Main St, Whitesburg, KY 41858

(877) 637-3929 Toll Free

(606) 633-3929

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  • Who We Are
    • About Us
    • Staff & Board
    • Internships & Fellowships
    • Contact
    • Financials
  • What We Do
    • Environmental Justice
    • Miners’ Health & Safety
    • Policy & Research
    • Advocacy
  • Get Help
    • Federal Black Lung Benefits
    • Black Lung Associations
    • Environmental Problems
    • Mine Safety Discrimination
  • Take Action
  • News
  • Donate

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