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A GeoHealth study reveals census tracts with high Hispanic and Latino populations accounted for 40% of 73,000 childhood asthma cases. (Hihitetlin/Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 22, 2024

Study: PA ranks high for health impacts of oil and gas flaring emissions

A new study raised red flags about respiratory health in Pennsylvania, particularly for those living near oil and gas activity. The study by …

A 412Justice report reveals many nearby communities experience higher rates of childhood asthma and more emergency room visits during bad air days, which are happening more frequently. Residents also have experienced higher risk of cancer. (Breathe Project)

Environmental groups rally at U.S. Steel for 'voice at the table'

People working for environmental justice are rallying today at the downtown Pittsburgh headquarters of U.S. Steel, voicing their concerns to company …

Last year, the Biden-Harris administration announced $196 million in grants for 37 pipeline modernization projects in 19 states, including Pennsylvania. (MaxSafaniuk/Adobe Stock)<br />

Advocates push for swift update of gas pipeline safety rules

Pennsylvania environmental groups want to see a new rule implemented to improve the detection and repair of leaks from gas pipelines. The Keystone …

Environmental Protection Agency data show the transportation sector accounts for 29% of greenhouse-gas emissions, the largest and fastest growing source in the United States. (VanderWolf/Adobe Stock)

Study: EVs in PA can rev up taxpayer savings, pollution reduction

Pennsylvania governments could save taxpayers millions and reduce pollution by transitioning their fleets to electric vehicles, according to findings …

A recent economic impact study reveals that more than 123,000 people are employed full- and part-time at iron and steel mills in ferroalloy manufacturing in the Keystone State. (otmman/AdobeStock)

More Time to Comment on EPA Blast Furnace Rules

Emission standards for blast furnaces such as the iron and steel mills in Pennsylvania haven't been updated in years. The Environmental Protection …

Based on a separate analysis, EPA is projecting its proposed standards for existing gas-fired plants and the third phase of the NSPS could reduce up to 407 million metric tons of CO2 emissions. (Erik Bergin Photos/Adobe Stock)

PA Groups Support New EPA Standards for Coal, Gas Plants

More groups are getting on board, including in Pennsylvania, to support the Environmental Protection Agency's proposal for tougher new carbon …

There used to be twice as many marshes and wetlands in Pennsylvania as there are today, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. (Christina Saymansky/Adobe Stock)

Court Opts to Protect Private-Property Rights Over Wetlands

From conservation to sportsmen's groups, the U.S. Supreme Court is getting plenty of backlash over its most recent ruling, which weakens federal …

Three-fourths of the coal consumed in Pennsylvania is burned for electricity generation, and the rest is used for steelmaking and other industrial applications. (Gary/AdobeStock)

Report: 'Green Steel' Would Reduce Carbon Emissions, Add Jobs

A new report reveals that the Keystone State steel industry has the potential to reduce or eliminate carbon emissions by making a switch to "green ste…

More than 3.3 million people across 26 Pennsylvania counties may be exposed to exceeding levels of cancer risk in 2023 because of the air pollution caused by the oil and gas industry. (onyx124/AdobeStock)

Elected Officials: EPA Should Work to Reduce Methane Pollution

A group of lawmakers is urging the EPA to show the Keystone State support by enacting strong, comprehensive methane regulation standards. …

In addition to more than 100,000 active oil and gas well sites in the state, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has documented about 25,000 abandoned wells. (Bureau of Land Management)

EPA Seeks PA Comments on Stricter Methane Rules

Pennsylvania is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse-gas pollution in the U-S, and the Environmental Protection Agency wants input on a plan …

report, clean-energy pathway reduces emissions drastically, cutting CO2 emissions by 92% by 2035 and 97% by 2050. (Xiaoliangge/Adobe Stock)">

Report: Clean-Energy Pathway Would Cut Emissions, Boost Jobs in SW PA

A new report explores a clean-energy pathway in southwestern Pennsylvania. Sean O'Leary, senior researcher, Ohio River Valley Institute, said the …

Pennsylvania sent more than 79 million megawatt hours of electricity to other states in 2020, derived from natural gas, coal and nuclear sources. (Adobe Stock)

PA Climate Convergence Takes Over Harrisburg This Weekend

A three-day action and festival at Pennsylvania's Capitol this weekend aims to draw attention to the urgency of the climate crisis. Advocates…

Natural gas pipelines can often release methane, a potent greenhouse gas, due to leaks or during maintenance repairs. (Adobe Stock)

Monday Deadline for Comments on PA Gas Pipeline Expansion

Pennsylvanians have until Monday to submit public comments on a draft Environmental Impact Statement for a gas pipeline expansion in Northeastern Penn…

The rural and forested Pennsylvania Wilds are home to lots of wildlife species, including elk, white-tailed deer, bobcat and black bear. (Adobe Stock)

PA Groups Concerned About Maryland Nat'l Guard Flyover Proposal

The Maryland Air National Guard is considering a proposal to establish airspace where military planes would fly as low as 100 feet over the Pennsylvan…

Oil and natural-gas production is the largest industrial source of methane pollution in the country. (Adobe Stock)

Pennsylvanians Make Voices Heard During EPA Methane-Rule Hearing

PITTSBURGH -- Pennsylvanians were overwhelmingly present during three days of virtual public testimony to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) la…

One of the reasons that the coalition opposes the permit is because it said Invenergy did not provide, and Allegheny County did not require, an analysis of the impact the facility would have on nearby

Environmental Orgs Appeal Permit for Gas-Fired Power Plant in Southwest PA

ELIZABETH TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Several environmental organizations are appealing a decision made last month by Allegheny County to approve an air permit …

The Build Back Better framework would promote renewables and move the United States toward a goal of reducing carbon emissions by 50% to 52% by 2030. (Niserin/Istockphoto)

PA Officials Press for Action on Climate Change

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Local leaders from Pennsylvania and across the country are pressing for decisive action in the fight against climate change…

Under Mayor Peduto's administration, Pittsburgh has created a Climate Action Plan that includes electrifying public transportation and powering all city facilities with 100% clean energy by 2030. (Adobe Stock)

Outgoing Pittsburgh Mayor Heads to COP26 Climate Summit

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- The 26th annual United Nations Conference of the Parties, better known as COP26, kicked off yesterday in Glasgow, Scotland with …

A 2016 study from Princeton and Stanford found the combined emissions output of Pennsylvania's abandoned wells adds an estimated 50,000 metric tons of methane per year into the atmosphere. (Adobe Stock)

PA Groups Urge State to Increase Oil, Gas Well Bond Amounts

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Some environmental groups are formally requesting that Pennsylvania's Environmental Quality Board raise the bond amounts companies …

The letter to Pennsylvania's congressional representatives calls for infrastructure funding to support the return of the 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps, with a focus on addressing climate change. (Adobe Stock)

PA Groups Call for Infrastructure Deal That Benefits Appalachia

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Three dozen Pennsylvania advocacy groups sent a letter last week to the state's congressional delegation, calling on them to …

A white paper from ReImagine Appalachia estimates that reforestation of mountaintop removal sites could absorb 8% to 10% of carbon emissions in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. It's the type of project a new CCC could take on. (Adobe Stock)

Casey's Civilian Conservation Corps Could Help Fight Climate Change

HARRISBURG, Pa. - U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., wants to bring back the Civilian Conservation Corps, a public-works program from the 1930s that created …

Pennsylvania's parks and recreation economy provides an estimated $1.9 billion annually in state and local tax revenue. (Adobe Stock)

PA Mayors Call on Congress to Pass Parks, Jobs & Equity Act

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- A petition signed by 19 mayors from across Pennsylvania urges the state's congressional delegation to pass the Parks, Jobs…

U.S. Steel's Clairton plant is the largest coke manufacturing facility in the United States. (Roy Luck/Wikimedia Commons)

Study Details Health Implications of PA Coke-Plant Fire

PITTSBURGH -- In southwestern Pennsylvania, the health effects of an industrial fire more than two years ago are just now coming to light. A new …

Due to higher costs of production, coal-powered electricity's share in Pennsylvania has fallen from 57% in 2001 to 16% in 2021. It's expected to fall to 4%, with or without the state's participation in RGGI, by 2030. (Adobe Stock)

Report: RGGI Could Provide Financial Boost to PA Coal Communities

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Pennsylvania's Environmental Quality Board is expected to make its final ruling on whether the state will join the Regional …

The Black Appalachian Coalition hopes to change the stereotypical narrative that this region is just rural and white, and hopes to see federal funding allocated to communities equitably. (Adobe Stock)

New Coalition Aims to Change "Whitewashed" Narrative of Appalachia

PHILADELPHIA - The Appalachian region has long dealt with environmental pollution and economic disinvestment, and a new coalition wants to ensure its …

According to a 2020 Climate Nexus poll, 65% of voters said they wanted comprehensive climate legislation to be a priority for the White House and Congress (Adobe Stock)

Could PA Gas Preemption Bill Derail Local Climate Action Plans?

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- A gas preemption bill in the state Senate would prevent Pennsylvania municipalities from adopting policies to restrict or prohibit …

The report says federal climate infrastructure investments could create nearly a quarter-million jobs in Pennsylvania alone. (FotoArtist/Adobe Stock)

Report: Climate Infrastructure Key to Creating Jobs in Appalachia

HARRISBURG, Pa. - A coalition of labor, community and environmental groups has released a plan to use federal investments in climate infrastructure …

Pennsylvania PULSE is expected to create more than 400 jobs and reduce carbon pollution by the equivalent of taking 34,000 cars off the roads. (Johnstocker/Adobe Stock)

PA Announces Major Solar-Energy Project

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Gov. Tom Wolf announced Monday the biggest solar-energy commitment ever undertaken by any government in the United States…

University of Pittsburgh students and allies unveil a billboard, which calls on the school's trustees to divest from fossil fuels. (Photo credit: FossilFreePitt)

Billboard Calls on Pitt to Divest from Fossil Fuels

PITTSBURGH -- "The world is watching, divest now," will be the message University of Pittsburgh students and their allies deliver to university …

New executive orders focus on combatting climate change, addressing environmental justice and creating green jobs. (AndriiKoval/Adobe Stock)

Biden Orders Put Climate Front and Center

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- President Joe Biden today is to sign a number of executive orders, directives and memoranda ramping up his administration's focus …

The administration wants to review the Trump EPA's weakening of vehicle-emission standards. (Nady/Adobe Stock)

Biden's Clean-Air, Climate Actions Seen as Benefit for PA

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Environmental advocates say President Joe Biden's actions on clean air and climate will make a big difference for air quality in …

Activists say those least responsible for causing climate change often are the first and most severely affected by it. (Manpeppe/Adobe Stock)

Faith Communities Connect Floyd Protests, Climate Change

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- An interfaith group working to slow climate change says there is a link between ending reliance on fossil fuels and the …

Agriculture continues to be a major source of nitrogen pollution flowing into the Chesapeake Bay. (CascadeCreatives/Adobe Stock)

EPA on Notice: Enforce Clean-Water Mandate or Be Sued

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The Environmental Protection Agency could face federal lawsuits if it doesn't take action against states not meeting their …

The Delaware is the longest free-flowing river east of the Mississippi. (Joshua/Adobe Stock)

Delaware River Named “River of the Year”

PHILADELPHIA -- The Delaware River was once so polluted it turned the hulls of ships brown. But after decades of restoration, a river-conservation …

A NEPA review helped stop a recent proposal for mountain biking in the Allegheny National Forest. (Zack Frank/Adobe Stock)

Conservationists: Proposed NEPA Changes Threaten PA Forests

WARREN, Pa. -- Conservation groups say proposed changes to the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, would let potentially damaging projects …

An explosion and fire along the Revolution Pipeline destroyed a house and caused six high-voltage transmission towers to collapse. (berkut_34/Adobe Stock)

DEP Lifting Ban on Mariner East Pipeline Permits

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection could soon resume issuing permits for construction of the Mariner East …

Proponents of clean energy say training workers to install solar power could help the climate and create jobs in areas hardest hit by pollution. (biker3/Adobe Stock)

Climate Justice Group Calls for Local Solar Jobs

COATESVILLE, Pa. - It's time to invest in local solar jobs. That's the message climate-justice advocates delivered to PECO on Tuesday. Clean-energy …

Some major retailers no longer sell methylene chloride paint strippers, but they remain widely available. (Photo: USDA)

EPA Faces Legal Action for Delay in Toxic Chemical Ban

HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Environmental Protection Agency has been put on notice that it faces a lawsuit for delaying the finalization of a ban on …

The Environmental Protection Agency administrator has repealed or delayed more than 30 environmental regulations, including provisions of the Clean Air Act. (nikolabelopitov/Pixabay)

As EPA Repeals and Delays, Environmentalists Turn to Courts

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Environmental advocates say the federal courts are serving an increasingly critical role in protecting the air we breathe and …

The Mariner East pipelines are designed to carry highly volatile liquid ethane. (Arulonline/Pixabay)

Mariner East Pipelines Shut Down, Again

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. — Citing sinkholes, contaminated water wells and alleged poor managerial judgement, an administrative law judge has suspended …

With the loophole, some polluters could more than quadruple their emissions. (bhumann34/Pixabay)

Environmental Groups Sue to Close EPA Loophole

Harrisburg, Pa. – Clean-air advocates want the federal courts to stop a new rule that would allow major polluters to turn their pollution …

Groups are seeking an injunction to halt construction where drilling-fluid spill protocols have been weakened. (Ohikulkija [CC BY-SA 3.0]/Wikimedia Commons)

Mariner 2 Restart Deal Called Breach of Contract

PHILADELPHIA — Environmental groups claim the agreement to restart the Mariner East 2 pipelines is illegal. Pipeline construction permits …

States are expected to sue as the Trump administration tries to repeal the Clean Power Plan. (stevepb/Pixabay)

States are Fighting Back Against Trump Environmental Actions

HARRISBURG, Pa. – States in the Northeast and on the West Coast are challenging Trump administration changes to environmental regulations…

The new chair of the EPA Science Advisory Board denies the scientific evidence that smog causes asthma. (12019/Pixabay)

EPA Sued for Removing Scientists

WASHINGTON D.C. – Doctors, scientists and professional organizations are suing EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt for replacing publicly-funded …

Nationally more than 1 million African-Americans live within half a mile of existing natural gas facilities. (dbchandler/Pixabay)

Report: Oil, Gas Pollution has Outsized Impact on African-Americans in PA

PHILADELPHIA – A new report shows that pollution from oil and gas facilities in Pennsylvania and nationwide is disproportionately harming Africa…

A newly-filed lawsuit says rolling back climate protections endangers the lives of future generations. (Pezibear/Pixabay)

Children Sue to Stop Climate Change

PITTSBURGH – The federal government is ignoring the threats to life on this planet presented by climate change - that's the claim of a lawsuit a…

The goal of the Clean Power Plan is to reduce carbon pollution 32 percent over 2005 levels by 2030. (1238720/Pixabay)

Environmental Groups Denounce Repeal of Clean Power Plan

PHILADELPHIA – Environmental and health advocacy groups say the Environmental Protection Agency's decision to repeal the Clean Power Plan will t…

Some faith groups say a state budget measure would threaten Pennsylvania's environment and health.<br />(Hamed Saber/Flickr)

PA Faith Leaders Speak Out on Environmental Loopholes

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Some Pennsylvania faith leaders are asking state lawmakers to keep the future of the state's health and environment out of …

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