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
- Assault on Coal Miners Continues as MSHA Halts Enforcement of Life-Saving Silica Dust SafeguardMSHA’s Deadly Move Comes as Agency Sidelines Safety Inspectors, Black Lung Research and Screening is Cancelled, and Cost-Of-Living Crisis Intensifies For Immediate Release: April 9, 2025 COAL COUNTRY – Today, the Trump Administration’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) announced it was temporarily halting enforcement of new life-saving measures that prevent deadly silica dust exposure […]
- ANNOUNCEMENT: ACLC Welcomes Caroline Rubens As New Fundraising OfficerWe are excited to welcome Caroline Rubens as ACLC’s new Fundraising Officer. Caroline brings more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She grew up in northern New Jersey and lived in New York City before moving to Eastern Kentucky in 2007. Before joining ACLC, Caroline served as Director of the Appalshop Archive, […]
- Our statement on the dismantling of the National Institute of Occupational Health and SafetyFor many years our work at ACLC has benefitted from the hardworking staff at the National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH). The researchers there helped uncover the prevalence and resurgence of black lung disease in our region. Their work was foundational to the formulation of dust standards meant to curb the black lung […]
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
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