Michael Sauers
June 3, 2026
Greenfire Coalition came to be as a result of inept economic development efforts in the Greater Hazleton Area. A top down economic development paradigm that kept the community uninformed and resulted in recruitment of polluting industries, helter skelter industrial parks, low paying jobs, illegal dumping/landfills and subsequent superfund sites all needed redress.
Greenfire was born as a result of several motivated individuals seeing a need for community activation around economic and community development. Hazleton’s Earth Day, 1990 was the catalyst and springboard for the Coalition. Approximately 20 groups and as many individuals put together an Earth Day celebration of superior quality which was enjoyed by the area’s residents. Its success lit the fuse for the forming of Greenfire.
Greenfire was a completely voluntary, very low budget endeavor that brought together 25 community organizations/individuals and spoke truth to power. It lasted 5 years before life, death, marriage, children, education, relocation and changed priorities brought it to an end.
The following is a brief summary of what we accomplished.
1990
Earth Day celebration in Hazleton’s Columbus Park/Indigenous People’s Park
1991
Addressed/participated in McAdoo Associates’ Superfund site hearings/resolution
Participated in stopping mega landfill in Foster Township
Participated in C&D Recycling Superfund site resolution
Endorsed “War on Waste” in partnership with Greenpeace
Addressed soil burning issue
Addressed Nescopeck Creek/Jeddo Mine Tunnel/Acid Mine Drainage issue
Formed political action wing
1992
Established speaker’s bureau
Opposed New Jersey Steel coming to Humboldt I.P.
Lobbied for ban on toxics spewing incinerators
Started dialogue/meeting with CAN-DO
Organized Earth Day at Penn State, Hazleton-Hugh Kaufman, EPA, guest speaker
Challenged Hazle Township Zoning Board decisions (2) in court
Sponsored Stewardship Conference-Jon Naar and Lois Gibbs were guest speakers
1993
Sponsored/organized Environmental Leadership Conference
Agitated for action on the heavily polluted Nescopeck Creek/Jeddo Mine Tunnel
Partnership with Wildlands Conservancy for watershed/stream protection
Opposed low-level radiation incineration/landfill
Weighed in on wood composting proposal
Met with PA Secretary of DER, Davies
Proposed “Industrial Rangers” for Valmont and Humboldt
Sponsored “Buy Recycled” exhibit in local schools
1994
Dialogued with Greater Hazleton Joint Sewer Authority regarding industrial pollution
Identified 20 Superfund sites in the Greater Hazleton Area
Investigated illegal dumping throughout the Greater Hazleton Area
Called for investigation of Hazleton City Landfill
Called out high cancer rates in NEPA
The above is the tip of the iceberg. We did the above and so much more. Go to Newspapers.com for more in depth results.