Center for Coalfield Justice: Giving Tuesday
Blog submitted by the Center for Coalfield Justice
About CCJ: Empowering Coalfield Communities for Social and Environmental Justice
The Center for Coalfield Justice (CCJ) is a social and environmental non-profit based in southwestern Pennsylvania. CCJ's mission centers around advocating for stronger policies and regulations for the oversight of the extraction and use of fossil fuels while simultaneously empowering and organizing local coalfield communities.
Extractive industries have long held a tight grip on our communities, trapping them in a cycle of dependency to meet their most basic needs. These industries have shaped the economic value and the future prospects of these communities, often at the expense their environmental and social well-being. As a result, the land, water, and air quality in these areas have been severely degraded, leaving residents to bear the brunt of the environmental damage caused by the industries they rely on for basic needs
What does it mean to empower coalfield communities? It means actively engaging with and listening to the voices of those directly impacted.Allowing them to take the lead on how to hold these industries accountable for their environmental and social impacts. Empowerment ensures that communities have access to the tools, resources, and information necessary to make informed decisions about the health and futures of their families and themselves. Using tools like PurpleAir monitors to collect and share air quality data is one example of how power can be shifted back to people in these communities. This not only gives back some autonomy but also offers a tangible way for community members to regain control over their environmental health after decades of being exploited by industries that have extracted from their land and livelihoods.
How Air Quality Monitoring Drives Change
Through targeted fundraising campaigns and strategic partnerships, CCJ has successfully distributed and installed dozens of air quality sensors to fill critical monitoring gaps in the Washington and Greene counties. These tools have allowed community members to safeguard their families and hold companies accountable for their environmental impact. A prime example occurred in 2022 when residents of a township in Washington county living near a compressor station detected spikes in air pollution during the night. While the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) inspectors typically responded during the day, the community members were able to submit their own air quality data from the air monitors at their homes alongside formal complaints. This evidence led the DEP to assign a staffer to investigate the compressor station during off-hours, ultimately resulting in a mandate for the operator to address and rectify the station's issues. This instance highlights how data-driven advocacy can lead to tangible regulatory action and community health and safety improvements.
In the spring of 2023, a major chemical fire broke out at a coal waste processing plant within the Bailey Mine Complex, North America's largest underground coal mining complex. Thanks to the success of a targeted Giving Tuesday campaign aimed at expanding monitoring in the region, CCJ staff and local community members were able to quickly access the PurpleAir Air Quality Map. This real-time data provided crucial insights into the immediate impact on local air quality, enabling residents and advocates to make informed decisions and respond effectively to potential health risks. CCJ urged immediate and transparent communication from Consol Energy and Omnis Bailey LLC about the nature and extent of the hazardous materials involved and the steps being taken to mitigate any environmental impact.
MAD-FACTS: Advocating for Public Health
MAD-FACTS (Moms and Dads - Family Awareness of Cancer Threat Spike), a project of CCJ, is a collective of residents and families dedicated to raising awareness about the health risks posed by oil and gas extraction in their communities. This group unites individuals directly impacted by these industries, those concerned about the broader public health implications, and those alarmed by the rising incidence of rare cancers. MAD-FACTS creates a platform for community members to share their experiences, discuss their concerns, and collectively deepen their understanding of these issues. By fostering dialogue and providing education, the initiative aims to build a more informed and empowered community that is better equipped to advocate for public health and environmental justice.
Many MAD-FACTS families rely on PurpleAir monitors to track real-time air quality around their homes. Since PurpleAir measures fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which poses significant health risks, particularly to sensitive groups such as children, these monitors enable families to make informed decisions about their environment. The user-friendly air quality index allows anyone—whether or not they have their own monitors—to assess the safety of outdoor activities through an accessible map. Additionally, historical data offers valuable trend analysis over hours, days, or weeks, enabling families and communities to observe fluctuations in air quality and identify patterns over time.
“In our community residents need to take measures to protect their families from oil and gas operations next to their homes. In many cases, these sites are only 500’ away. Our residents now have the ability to check their PurpleAir Monitors prior to going outside. These monitors give them a sense of control in an environment where they feel hopeless and abandoned by the lack of government oversight.”
- Jodi Borello, community organizer with CCJ and one of the founders of MAD-FACTS
The importance of monitoring air quality in communities in close proximity to industrial sites cannot be overstated. With industry operations in their backyards, these communities face unique and significant risks. Current policies and regulations are insufficient to fully safeguard the health, well-being, and protection of residents, animals, and the broader environment. Comprehensive monitoring is essential for identifying potential hazards, ensuring accountability, and providing data to advocate for more effective protections.
Take Action Now: Your Support Fuels Healthier Communities
Fundraising for PurpleAir monitors not only provides a tool for real-time air quality tracking, but also empowers residents to take control of their environmental health and plays a crucial role in grassroots advocacy. As demonstrated through past successes, such as the response to pollution spikes and the chemical fire at the Bailey Mining Complex, access to reliable data strengthens community-led efforts to hold industries accountable and helps to ensure regulatory action is taken to protect public health.
This Giving Tuesday, CCJ is once again fundraising to help fill the gaps within our service area and paint a better picture of air quality in southwestern Pennsylvania. Thanks to last year’s donors, we provided 10 monitors, raising our total count in the area to 23. We currently have a list of 15 families who are waiting to receive monitors. This year, we are hoping to reach our goal of obtaining 20 monitors. Will you help us reach that goal? If you can donate $25 or more, CCJ will send you an exclusive sticker pack by Local Artist and CCJ Events Coordinator, Sarah Sweeney!
“Since I have had the PurpleAir monitor installed at my house months ago, I am able to make sure I am breathing clean air when I am out in my yard planting flowers and mowing. I can enjoy my property and hobbies with less worries now.”
- Tammy Yoders, CCJ Member
The work of the Center for Coalfield Justice, alongside initiatives like MAD-FACTS, underscores the vital need for communities to have the resources and autonomy to safeguard their well-being. As industrial encroachment continues to pose risks to the environment and human health, our commitment to supporting these communities—through tools, advocacy, and policy change—remains more important than ever. Together, we are not just addressing the immediate health concerns of today but laying the foundation for a future where communities can thrive in a safe and sustainable environment. Together, we can give families agency over their health and the air they breathe.
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