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Appalachian Citizens' Law Center

We Fight for Justice in the Coalfields

  • Who We Are
    • About Us
    • Staff & Board
    • Internships & Fellowships
    • Job Openings
    • 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
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appalachian mountains

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

  • WEST VIRGINIA MORNING: Connecting To Clean Tap Water And Limiting Coal Dust Exposure

    June 23, 2022Uncategorized

    Tune in right at 8 minutes to hear our executive director Wes Addington explain MSHA’s Part 90 program for miners. “It allows a miner who has been diagnosed with black lung to transfer to a less dusty area of the mine without any decrease in pay. In theory, the way that provision of the law […]
  • GRIST: No Friend of the Coal Miner

    June 22, 2022Uncategorized

    “‘The companies don’t want to pay, they’ve never wanted to pay,’ says Rebecca Shelton, the director of policy and organizing at the Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center. The nonprofit provides free legal services to sick coal miners as they navigate what can be years-long battles to get benefits from former employers. Shelton adds, ‘The [companies] will […]
  • OHIO VALLEY RESOURCE: Black Lung Patients, Advocates Urge Mine Safety Officials To Update Silica Dust Standards

    June 6, 2022ACLC NewsAdvocacyBlack LungMine Safety

    “Advocates including regional black lung associations and the Appalachian Citizens Law Center petitioned MSHA in 2021 to change the silica standard, saying that in ten years of federal inaction, the black lung epidemic has only gotten worse. Wes Addington, an attorney who runs the black lung legal clinic at ACLC, says even if a new standard were […]
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

© Addison Williams Hero Image

  • Who We Are
    • About Us
    • Staff & Board
    • Internships & Fellowships
    • Job Openings
    • 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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