“This isn’t working. Our rates are going up, fewer people are able to pay; this is not a sustainable spiral for the system.” Read more at: www.kentucky.com/news/state/k...

NEW REPORT: Today ACLC published a report on drinking water disconnections across Kentucky. We found that tens of thousands of families are disconnected from drinking water each year. Learn more through this piece in the Kentucky Lantern: kentuckylantern.com/2026/05/29/s...

This year, Kentucky will receive $69.5 million in federal funding to clean up abandoned coal mines. ACLC was proud to advocate alongside partners for the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which secured $11.3 billion over 15 years for AML and recovery projects nationwide.

Grateful to @deluzio.house.gov, @repsummerlee.bsky.social, @beyer.house.gov for introducing federal legislation to help ensure expedient and complete mine reclamation. Over the last few years, our work at ACLC has repeatedly uncovered that coal companies are delaying reclamation.

The Trump Administration fired a Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commissioner earlier this month and terminated several commission staff, further undermining institutions that are critical to protecting miner health and safety www.themountaineagle.com/articles/fir...

ACLC’s Deputy Director, Mary Cromer, was able to attend River Rally 2026 and learn from friends old and new. Mary is pictured here with Flow Fund funders and recipients after a great conversation about the importance of brave philanthropy. Learn more at: www.rivernetwork.org/connect-lear...

“I want them to be accountable for the health and safety of our coal miners. Somebody has got to listen.” dataviz.whro.org/black-lung/i...

What a day! We've not only exceeded our goal for KY Gives Day, but we've had the best one yet. All of us here at ACLC want to thank those of you who donated, shared, or even just talked about our work today. We are immensely grateful for your support today, and every day!

May 14 at 1 PM ET via Zoom - ReImagine will do an overview/release of our new report that maps the legal, administrative, and legislative activities that transformed FEMA in the last year. Register @ loom.ly/crct7y8 #Appalachia #FEMA

Today is the day! We are already seeing some tremendous support from our generous friends. We want to thank those of you who have already contributed to our KY Gives Day fundraiser; and if you haven't yet, there's still time! Donate here: kygives.org/organization...

EXCLUSIVE: 1 in 5 coal mines sampled in the U.S. in 2025 exceeded dangerous silica dust levels, putting miners at risk of black lung while the Trump Administration indefinitely delays life-saving rules. READ MORE from @kentucky.com: www.kentucky.com/news/state/a...

We could not do our work without the support of our community, so we hope you'll consider supporting ACLC tomorrow, whether it's sharing our giving page or donating. You can donate anytime up until midnight tomorrow night to be eligible for KY Gives Day prizes.

We're one week away from Kentucky Gives Day 2026!

“If this President or any politician truly wants to talk about the coal industry, they need to start by protecting the people who make it possible: the miners.” #BlackLungKills kentuckylantern.com/2026/05/01/p...

For those interested in learning more about what our state legislature did and did not accomplish with regards to energy policy and energy affordability. Spoiler alert: There were many missed opportunities at the legislature to improve energy affordability and customer protections

Kentucky's biggest nonprofit donation day is coming up in two weeks! Think about ACLC on Tuesday, May 12. Donating on KY Gives Day is a huge way to show you support our mission. Also, reach out to us if you are willing to run a peer-to-peer fundraiser or want to know more about how to do so!

Yesterday, MSHA's silica dust rule was supposed to go into effect for all metal and non-metal mines. A year ago, it should have gone into effect for coal mines. Neither has occurred. MSHA is negotiating with industry to weaken the rule and blaming self-imposed constraints to delay action.

Today, our Executive Director, Wes Addington, spoke at a Black Lung Forum hosted by @kaine.senate.gov in St. Paul, VA. He presented on the history of black lung law and the benefits process. Thanks to all who helped organize and to those who participated!

Today the President released his FY27 Budget Proposal. It contains harmful cuts to programs important to Eastern Kentucky. Read our Statement: aclc.org/2026/04/03/a...

The cycle of coal bankruptcy in Eastern Kentucky sadly continues. Clintwood JOD, of Pike Co., has laid off workers and is seeking bankruptcy protection. Now that the company is in bankruptcy, it is uncertain whether these abandoned mine sites will be reclaimed.

"Across the U.S., the cost of maintaining water systems has increasingly shifted from the federal government to state and local governments and taxpayers." Read the news story about ACLC's trip to Detroit with Martin County Concerned Citizens and Livelihoods Knowledge Exchange Network

Today, we released a report investigating the lessons learned from the response and recovery process to Hurricane Helene. Helene hit NC and TN in 2024 and recovery is still ongoing. Lessons learned from this event can be used to improve the resilience of many communities across Appalachia.

Last week, we shared that a resolution to require the Public Service Commission to investigate utility affordability passed a key Senate committee. We are happy to report that the resolution passed on the Senate floor with a unanimous vote of approval!

This week over 60 organizations joined together in a call to Congress to fund programs critical to flood resilience, mine reclamation, miner health & safety, and economic development. We are calling on Congress to ensure funding for these programs in the FY27 appropriations bills.

The Kentucky Senate Committee on State and Local Government passed SJR75, a resolution to require the KY PSC to investigate utility affordability. We support the resolution and are happy to see it make a first step to passage. Thank you, Senator Madon, for bringing forward this resolution!

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.

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...

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!

Thank you @markwarner.bsky.social and @kaine.senate.gov for standing up for Coal Miner health and safety. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...

“When 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...

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

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...

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...

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...

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 🔌 268,000 disconnections last year Read Lights Out in Kentucky here: aclc.org/2026/02/04/n...

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

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

“Unfortunately, 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)

“We 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)

“This 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”

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.

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...

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

(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...

(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

(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!

(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.