ACLC focuses the majority of its efforts on working with problems surrounding coal mining. Some of the adverse consequences of coal mining include: employment issues – workplace safety, illegal discharge, hiring discrimination; disability compensation; advocacy on behalf of miners and black lung victims; and environmental problems – water quality, subsidence, property questions, permit challenges.
Examples of ACLC`s work in its first three years include:
Commenting on the proposed changes to the Kentucky WorkersÂ’ Compensation Program, which offers retraining benefits to miners diagnosed with coal workerÂ’s pneumoconiosis.
Assisting miners with individual Black Lung benefit claims.
Representing persons opposing a proposed surface disturbance for a road to an underground coal mine in a permitting proceeding.
Representing in an administrative proceeding a homeowner whose water well failed shortly after mining commenced nearby.
Investigating numerous other situations involving allegations of mining related damage.