PO Box 4023 

184 South Main Street 

Washington, PA 15301 

CENTER FOR COALFIELD jusTitcE 

organizing educating empowering 

P) 724.229.3550 

F) 724.229.3551 

www.coalfieldjustice.org 

info@coalfieldjustice.org 

My name is Veronica Coptis and I am a Community Organizer with the Center for Coalfield 

Justice. I grew up in the coalfields of Greene County next to the largest coal processing 

facility in the country and currently live surround by shale gas extraction. Thankfully, a 

dirty coal fired power plant less than 5 miles from my home recently idled, but without 

strong rules still has the potential to reopen. 

I appreciate the opportunity to comment on the US EPA's Clean Power Plan for Existing 

Power Plants and the Carbon Pollution Standard for Modified Sources. These rules are a 

small step in the right direction. The result of this plan will have a significant impact to my 

life and the communities on the frontlines of coal extraction and combustion across this 

country. The EPA has a responsibility to make sure that the impact is for the better. 

For too many years, my friends and family have suffered serious health impacts from the 

life cycle of coal. All too often, coal extraction and combustion in power plants occur in 

designated Environmental Justice areas, communities with large minority populations 

and/or low income levels. In fact, Environmental Justice areas are expanding in 

southwestern Pennsylvania, following the industry's reckless pursuit of coal at all costs. 

Corporations take advantage of these areas and have for generations. The EPA needs to 

make sure these carbon rules are as stringent as possible to offer much needed relief to 

people living within the dirty coal cycle, like my community. 

In southwestern Pennsylvania, many of the coalfield areas are also exploding with Shale 

gas extraction. Without a plan that focuses on renewables, these same communities will see 

Shale gas drilling increase even more as power plants convert to gas. This will not alleviate 

the negative health impacts we see from the coal cycle because the extraction of gas has 

serious health impacts as well and massive methane emissions that will just increase the 

damages of climate change. 

It is clear that these new regulations are going to create significant changes to frontline 

communities and the EPA has a responsibility to make sure those are just and 

equitable. This transition will have many great improvements to our communities but if 

those most impacted are not part of the conversation there will also be negative impacts to 

those living on the frontlines. This absolutely includes the coal miners who are here today 

and those who could not make the trip. I doubt very much that anyone here today will 

argue against the benefit of clean air and clean water. What is a real concern is that 

whatever comes next, when we move beyond coal, will leave coalfield residents behind. As 

I said before, those who stand to be impacted the most MUST play an active role in this 

transition. 

Without smart steps towards reducing carbon emissions and a just transition moving 

beyond all fossil fuels, areas like Greene County are not going to have a very promising 

Justice for Coalfield Citizens 
future. I often wonder if I will be able to raise a healthy family in the area and community I 

love. It is crucial for my future and our children's future that the EPA takes the strongest 

standards possible to move away from a fossil fuel economy. 

Thanks, 

Veronica Coptis 

184 S Main St 

PO BOX 4023 

Washington, PA 15301 

Justice for Coalfield Citizens