We need your help to make sure that Appalachian communities are protected from the worst abuses of the coal industry.

The EPA is creating a new plan called “Plan EJ 2014” to integrate environmental justice into all their programs. Environmental justice (EJ) refers to the fact that the worst environmental problems tend to occur in poor communities, communities of color, or indigenous communities. Mountaintop removal coal mining could not happen in a wealthy community, and therefore it is an environmental justice issue.

We need the EPA to take mountaintop removal, toxic drinking water, and other impacts of coal in Appalachia seriously as an environmental justice issue.

Please use the comment form below. We have some sample comments for you to send, but please add your own voice.

According to the EPA the goals of the plan are to:

• Protect health in communities over-burdened by pollution
• Empower communities to take action to improve their health and environment
• Establish partnerships to achieve healthy and sustainable communities.

If you are making your own comments, here are some questions you might want to consider:

1. What are your most important concerns?
2. What resources does your community need? Health studies, water tests, etc.
3. What difficulties have you run into trying to get support from local agencies?
4. Have laws in your community been properly enforced?
5. Are there health issues in your community?
6. How would you like the EPA to take action on these issues?

If you fill out the comment form below, your comments will be emailed to Charles Lee, the Director of the Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ). We will also print out and deliver your comments to the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council meeting in November.