Campaigns

We empower communities in the broader Youghiogheny River Watershed to engage in campaigns to address environmental degradation, climate change, and its root causes.

Shale Gas & Petrochemicals

Currently, one of the greatest threats to the health of the watersheds and quality of life in the Appalachian region is the development of shale gas and petrochemical infrastructure.

Nurdle Patrol

Nurdle Patrol What are Nurdles? A nurdle is a plastic pellet that serves as raw material in the manufacturing of plastic products. Nurdles are a major source of pollution –…

Tenaska Westmoreland Generating Station

Tenaska Generating Station WHY THIS CAMPAIGN MATTERS Tenaska Westmoreland Generating Station is a 940 megawatt combined cycle natural gas fueled power plant, located just behind the Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival grounds.…

Hazardous Waste

MWA continues to work alongside communities directly affected by the pollution discharge, poor air quality, and health impacts of hazardous waste landfills.

MAX Environmental Hazardous & Residual Waste Landfill

MAX Environmental is a hazardous waste landfill in the small town of Yukon, Pennsylvania. The facility accepts materials from energy, construction, manufacturing, and contaminated waste sites. MAX has caused trouble…

Coal Mining

Over the past 20 years, Mountain Watershed has raised almost $9 million dollars to create mine drainage treatment systems that remove harmful pollutants and have helped to restore the water and hence, quality of life, in our region. Given the success of our existing restoration activities and the tendency for mining in this watershed to produce discharges, any current and proposed coal mining activity is a huge risk for our area.

Rustic Ridge Coal Mine

Rustic Ridge Coal Mine The Rustic Ridge mine expansion threatens the Youghiogheny River watershed and beyond. Help us stop the mine expansion! Where is the Rustic Ridge Coal Mine &…

APPLY TO MWA'S DIRECT SUPPORT FUND!

Currently, one of the greatest threats to the health of the watersheds and quality of life in the Appalachian region is industrial resource extraction, primarily the development of shale gas, coal, and petrochemical infrastructure. The Direct Support Fund provides small grants to grassroots groups and advocates working toward social change on any of these environmental justice issues and more.

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A Year in the Yough

Quality of life in the Laurel Highlands region depends on the Youghiogheny River and tributaries like Indian Creek. Our streams are a source of recreation, tourism, sustainable economic growth, and drinking water. As citizens, it is our duty to protect these resources.

We hold polluters and environmental regulators accountable to ensure protection of our communities and the environment.

Campaign Archive

Public hearing uncertain for West Newton power plant permit – write a comment! 

October 21, 2025

Since July 2024, Tenaska’s Title V Operating Permit application has been undergoing technical review by the PA DEP prior to the draft permit being published and available for public comment.…

MWA protects streams while coal mine appeal moves forward

October 1, 2025

Mountain Watershed Association (MWA) and LCT Energy, LP (LCT) have reached a “Joint Stipulation as Alternative to Supersedeas” in MWA’s ongoing appeal of the Rustic Ridge #1 mine expansion. This…

Action Alert! Contact the Army Corps of Engineers to Protect the Laurel Highlands from the Rustic Ridge #2 Coal Mine

September 16, 2025

Comments due by September 24, 2025! In addition to the PA Department of Environmental Protection’s permitting process, the proposed Rustic Ridge #2 mine must undergo a review with the U.S.…