Michael Sauers
August 2, 2025
The Greater Hazleton Area is not the only “sacrifice area”. There are hundreds of them spread across the U.S.A.
Above and below ground coal mining with all of its negative consequences (too numerous to list, do some research) started the disaster. Prior to this the area was pristine. Eventually coal failed. Most, not all, of the coal barons/industrialists moved themselves and their families to New York, Philadelphia, London, etc. leaving behind a devastated “sacrifice area”. Today, we can see ample evidence of that devastation which affects air, water, soil, wildlife habitat and people.
The above failure of leadership led to a top down attempt at economic development by pseudo economic development amateurs. This resulted in the recruitment of questionable industries which other locations vigorously opposed and were equally opposed by local citizens. This is documented in an article written by Bigart in a New Yorker Magazine article (1974) and a book entitled, Energy Transition and the Local Community: A Theory of Society Applied to Hazleton, Pennsylvania. This was written by social anthropology Professor Dan Rose from the University of Pennsylvania and published in 1981. Examples include Beryllium and Stabelex. These types of industries emitted carcinogenic substances into air, water and soil. Treasure troves of information about many Hazleton Area industries can be found on the EPA Toxic Release Inventory site, if Trump hasn’t scrubbed them. Even if he has, records still exist.
With an abundance of abandoned mines and open pits, the area became a magnet for illegal dumping as seen by such places as the Hazleton City Landfill, McAdoo Associates and many other sites. Many of these became U.S. Superfund sites. Most of these drained into flooded underground mine workings that channeled the toxics to the Lehigh, Schuylkill, and Susquehanna Rivers.
Naturally, workers/residents paid a heavy price. Thousands of miners died due to mine related accidents throughout the Anthracite Mining Area, including Hazleton. Many others suffered and died from “black lung” disease (pneumoconoisis). Residents died as a result of cancers related to the Tranguch Gas Spill and the McAdoo Associates site. Beryllium workers suffered and died from “berylliosis”. Numerous reports, the most recent published in the Standard Speaker on 1-16-23, highlighted the high rates of numerous cancers in the area including Hazleton. Is it the water? Is it the air? Is it the soil?
All of this was vigorously opposed but, unfortunately, not by enough Greater Hazleton Sacrifice Area citizens. Keep in mind that the Greater Hazleton Area School District was/is not known for achieving high academic results for all of its students. Often accused of blatant nepotism, they have been taken to both state and federal courts. Allegedly, many highly qualified teacher candidates were passed over for less qualified candidates. The hiring process was highly controversial. (Do some research.) Fighting the above mismanagement of the top down economic development program required/requires a critical thinking, independent citizenry and the area simple did/does not have the critical mass necessary.
However, along the path to continuing and embellishing the GHA “sacrifice zone”, significant victories were realized and some very notable heroes surfaced. Individuals like Dr. Herman H. Feissner, Phil Kaufman, Don Heinzelman, Sue Fracke, Jean Wargo, Joe Lulla, Ron Kripp, Drew Magill, Al Seiss, and many others spoke out and made a difference. These folks and many others formed groups like S.U.F.F.E.R., SOLE II, Citizens Against Hazardous and Nuclear Waste and scores of others. Most helped form the Greenfire Coalition. All made a difference. (Do research) New Jersey Steel was kept out. A mega landfill in Foster Township was stopped. CANDO was challenged and put under a spotlight.
There is no rest for the weary. The battle continues. AI, warehouses, data centers, crypto mining, corporate welfare and top down economic and community development will challenge all.