Apr 6, 2019 3 min read

The Center for Coalfield Justice describes itself as “an environmental justice nonprofit” for Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Its mission, according to the center’s website, is “to improve policy and regulations for the oversight of fossil fuel extraction and use; to educate, empower and organize coalfield residents; and to protect public and environmental health.”

Sarah Martik and Heaven Sensky are members of the team dedicated to fulfilling that task.

“We want to get people talking, so they can work together,” said Martik, the center’s campaign manager.

“We want to give people tools to organize so they can speak up for themselves,” said Sensky, the community organizer.

One of the center’s most valuable tools is public outreach, and the Washington-based organization has scheduled a number of events over the next six months that are designed to enlighten and inform regional residents about the environment, energy sources (renewables and fossil fuels) and related economic impacts.

Those events kicked off Wednesday, when staffers and volunteers themselves were enlightened and informed during a question-and-answer session with state Rep. Tim O’Neal, R-South Strabane Township. The next one will occur Tuesday, a noon news conference at the Morgantown (W.Va.) Marriott at Waterfront Place.

Personnel have organized two ambitious events in June, the first a three-day, conversation-based workshop focused on the economic future of Greene County. It is an area that, for decades, was sustained largely by coal, an industry that has been in serious decline in recent times, but one that some residents hope will rebound. The workshop will take place June 11-13 at different county venues.

“We’ll be trying to get people to come out and discuss economic justice, to understand that environmental and economic concerns are one and the same in their area,” Sensky said. “We want to have diverse opportunities for people in Greene County.

“Coal has had a great impact there, but people now need a plan,” Martik added. “The area has been heavy on extracting, but having all your economic eggs in one basket is not a viable way to operate.”

The 13th annual DRYerson Festival is slated for June 22 at Ryerson State Park, where mine subsidence destroyed Duke Lake in July 2005. The center is striving to restore the park.

A sunny time is anticipated at the Greene County Solar Festival, scheduled for Sept. 28 at the county fairgrounds. The center is billing it as an all-day event where participants can learn about going solar and starting a career related to that renewable resource.

Staffers also are planning a Solar Pageant in September and a Fall Fundraiser in October, dates to be determined.

They will be expending a lot of energy while touting renewable energy, and raising awareness.