We fight for
- Justice in the coalfields
- Miners’ Health & Safety
- environmental justice
- a better future
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
Photo copyright Earl Dotter
News & Articles
- LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER: Will Blackjewel leave Eastern Kentuckians to clean up its abandoned coal mines?Deputy Director and Environmental Attorney Mary Cromer was interviewed for this piece. “Citizen groups, led by Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center attorney Mary Cromer, also raised concerns in a court document filed Dec. 10, saying that without proper reclamation, ‘environmental violations will continue to accrue and the likelihood of some type of catastrophic environmental failure, like […]
- PREVIEW: ACLC’s 2020 Impact ReportWe are excited to release the digital version of our 2020 impact report. While this year has brought many challenges, our staff was able to adapt to continue fighting for justice in the coalfields. Please click below to learn more about our work.
- APPALACHIAN VOICES: Bankruptcy Proposal Would Dodge Mine Cleanup LawsACLC’s deputy director Mary Cromer was interviewed for this in-depth piece by Appalachian Voices. “’The way [Blackjewel has] it structured now, they are putting all of the responsibility for that reclamation into the Reclamation Trust and the trust is going to be funded only by the bond amounts on the permits that go into the […]
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.
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
