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Appalachian Citizens' Law Center

@appcitizenslaw

Home of Appalachian Citizens' Law Center--Fighting for justice in the Appalachian coalfields. www.aclc.org

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Latest posts by Appalachian Citizens' Law Center @appcitizenslaw

Update on SB8: A huge thanks to all of you who called your legislators about Senate Bill 8. We're happy to share that the bill has been amended! The harmful language that would have prevented us from participating in rate cases on behalf of residents is no longer included.

06.03.2026 21:36 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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SB 8 would suppress the voices of rate payers who fight for lower electric costs | Opinion OpEd: When the only voices in the room represent the utility and its largest customers, rate increases become the only answer on the table.

An opinion piece from our Deputy Director talking about the concerns we have with KY Senate Bill 8.

"SB 8 doesn’t just limit who can participate in these proceedings. It limits what outcomes are possible."

Read more here: www.kentucky.com/opinion/op-e...

05.03.2026 17:04 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

WE NEED YOUR HELP! A state bill will be heard on 3/4 that would prevent us from participating in electric and drinking water rate cases, preventing us from representing Eastern Kentuckians as we have for years. Call your KY Senator today! 1-800-372-7181
Ask your Senator to vote no on Senate Bill 8!

03.03.2026 15:10 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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E&E News: Miner’s death prompts lawmaker questions about agency cuts The Mine Safety and Health Administration has seen staffing cuts and is no longer publishing certain mine inspection data.

Thank you @markwarner.bsky.social and @kaine.senate.gov for standing up for Coal Miner health and safety.

subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...

26.02.2026 20:05 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Surge in KY utility disconnections raises alarms as federal funding falls short of need β€’ Kentucky Lantern Kentucky electric utilities made more than 268,000 utility disconnections over a 12-month period across 2024 and 2025, according to a recent report.

β€œWhen it comes to utility affordability, one of the most urban areas of the state and one of the most rural areas of the state have a lot in common: Eastern Kentucky and Louisville metro,” Rebecca Shelton, ACLC's Director of Policy, discusses our recent report.

kentuckylantern.com/2026/02/24/s...

24.02.2026 17:23 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Surge in KY utility disconnections raises alarms as federal funding falls short of need β€’ Kentucky Lantern Kentucky electric utilities made more than 268,000 utility disconnections over a 12-month period across 2024 and 2025, according to a recent report.

A majority of KY electric utilities included in an @appcitizenslaw.bsky.social report have disconnected customers when they owed less than $100 of debt.

One utility, Nolin RECC, has disconnected customers when they’ve owed less than $25. kentuckylantern.com/2026/02/24/s... @kentuckylantern.com

24.02.2026 16:10 πŸ‘ 10 πŸ” 8 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Report shows federal black lung disability benefits outpaced by inflation Benefit payments are tied to federal employee pay rates, but under the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act, benefits would automatically be adjusted for inflation.

If there is a push to increase domestic coal production in the United States, then certainly there needs to be an added relief for coal miners, at least in this case, in the form of an increase in federal monthly benefits. Brendan Muckian-Bates
spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisvill...

23.02.2026 15:47 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Register here to join us for a presentation and discussion of our latest report on energy burdens and electricity disconnections next Tuesday (Feb. 24th) at 1:00: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

20.02.2026 00:47 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Come on out to Frankfort on February 25th with the Leave the Heat On Collective to ask your legislators to help us prevent all utility disconnections during extreme weather, so our communities stay safe and warm.
www.mobilize.us/kftc/event/8...

17.02.2026 19:30 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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aclc.org/2026/02/12/l...

12.02.2026 19:47 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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aclc.org/2026/02/11/a...

11.02.2026 21:16 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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NEW REPORT REVEALS MORE THAN 20% OF KENTUCKY FAMILIES CANNOT AFFORD ENERGY COSTS, UNDERSCORING NEED FOR EXPANDED WINTER PROTECTIONS - Appalachian Citizens' Law Center KentuckyΒ β€” More than one in five Kentucky families cannot afford their monthly energy bills, according to a new report from the Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center, Energy Equity Project, and Energy and ...

NEW REPORT: More than 20% of Kentucky families can’t afford electricity, according to a new report.
⚑Rates up 128% since 2001
❄️ No winter shutoff protections
πŸ”Œ 268,000 disconnections last year

Read Lights Out in Kentucky here: aclc.org/2026/02/04/n...

04.02.2026 16:28 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Black Lung Bulletin Vol. 3 Issue 3 - Appalachian Citizens' Law Center Below is our most recent issue of the Black Lung Bulletin, a collaborative publication that incorporates stories and updates from miners and families affected by black lung and experts in the field. T...

The newest edition of the Black Lung Bulletin is out now aclc.org/2026/01/29/b...

30.01.2026 15:21 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

β€œAs healthcare costs skyrocket, miners should not have to worry about workplace exposures forcing them into hospitals.” – Rep. Omar (MN)

22.01.2026 18:29 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

β€œUnfortunately, after declining for decades, black lung disease is now on the rise. X-ray surveillance data indicates that the prevalence of black lung disease has doubled from 2007-2017. Nearly 1 in 5 tenured miners in Appalachia have been diagnosed with black lung disease." - Rep. Omar (MN)

22.01.2026 18:29 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

β€œWe must ensure worker protections keep pace. This is where MSHA comes in. MSHA must promote strong and effective policies so that every mine worker can finish their shift and return home safely to their loved ones.” - Rep. Mackenzie (PA)

22.01.2026 18:28 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Mine Safety and Health Administration YouTube video by House Committee on Education & Workforce

β€œThis morning at 10:15am ET, the House Ed & Workforce HELP subcommittee will be holding a hearing w/Asst. Sec. Wayne Palmer on the policies & priorities of MSHA. Tune in below to watch or follow us today for updates.
youtube.com/live/YxqfPkSYdg0?feature=share”

22.01.2026 18:18 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Take Action

Visit blacklungkills.org to support miners with black lung and the recently reintroduced black lung benefits improvement act.

15.01.2026 16:29 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Last year, over 80 local governments passed a resolution calling on Congress to support an increase in federal black lung benefits. It’s critical that Congress listen to its constituents and support miners who have been waiting too long for a benefits increase.

15.01.2026 16:29 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Coal Communities Accuse Congress of Breaking Its Promise to Clean Up Abandoned Mine Lands - Inside Climate News The House passed a bill last week that would β€œrepurpose” $500 million meant for cleaning up environmental and safety hazards caused by decades of coal mining.

Last week, the House passed a bill to withdraw $500 million from the Abandoned Mine Land funds allocated by the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These funds are critical for coal communities, and Congress must preserve them. insideclimatenews.org/news/1301202...

14.01.2026 15:31 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

In December, Congressional leaders reintroduced the Championing Local Efforts to Advance Resilience (CLEAR) Act. Communities facing the brunt of extreme weather events need support before disasters strike - not just after. Read more in our latest press release: appfloodcoalition.org/news

12.01.2026 16:34 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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In Memorium: A Tribute to Steve Sanders - Appalachian Citizens' Law Center We are deeply saddened by the passing of ACLC’s founding director Steve Sanders. After years as Appalred’s managing attorney in Prestonsburg, Steve helped start ACLC.Β  Steve built the organization, se...

aclc.org/2026/01/10/1...

10.01.2026 17:35 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1

(2/2) The Appalachian Flood Resilience Coalition advocates for policies and investments in nature-based mitigation to lessen flood impacts. Learn more about what these projects can look like in this new paper: static1.squarespace.com/static/681e2...

10.12.2025 20:55 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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(1/2) Working with nature can be a powerful way to mitigate and adapt to flooding. Check out examples of nature-based flood mitigation projects in Appalachia

10.12.2025 20:54 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

(3)And thank you to the many advocates who continue to work tirelessly to ensure clean drinking water for all. Especially we want to thank Nina McCoy and John McCoy for joining us in D.C. this year to talk to lawmakers about this issue. We still have a long way to go but it's a fight worth fighting!

09.12.2025 15:14 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

(2) Thank you to Congressman Hal Rogers who has stepped up and joined as a cosponsor of the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program Establishment Act. If passed, the bill would create a permanent LIHWAP program and provide $500M for LIHWAP each year from 2026 - 2030.

09.12.2025 15:13 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

(1) Drinking water affordability is a problem across Kentucky. The problem just keeps getting worse. Providing assistance for low-income households who are struggling the most to pay their water bills is a small but important step towards ensuring that everyone is able to maintain access to water.

09.12.2025 15:13 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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08.12.2025 17:54 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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National miners' day: A day to remember that miner health & safety must always be the top priority - Appalachian Citizens' Law Center On December 6th, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) will celebrate National Miners’ Day, in order to β€œrecognize and applaud the skill, dedication, and hard work miners put into providing...

Read more about the threats to miner protections that we fought against in 2025: aclc.org/2025/12/05/n...

06.12.2025 13:29 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Today is National Miners Day. On this day we celebrate the dedication and skills of miners everywhere and urge Congress and the Trump Administration to recommit to ensuring miner health and safety.

Take action and write a letter to Congress today to improve black lung benefits: blacklungkills.org

06.12.2025 13:29 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0