Energy. Environment. Economy.

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Reid R. Frazier / StateImpact Pennsylvania

DEP fines landfill near Pittsburgh for problems tied to fracking waste

Agreement includes plan to clean up liquid waste
By Reid Frazier
| February 18, 2020 | 4:53 PM

Emma Lee / WHYY

‘You guys know me, I’m not a traitor’: Former PES refinery worker criticized by some for his film about the plant, the fire and his opinion on the site’s future

Most of Bilal Motley’s former co-workers have either rallied to keep the refinery open or kept their thoughts private. Motley, however, wants to tell his story.

By Catalina Jaramillo
| February 11, 2020 | 6:33 AM

Matt Rourke / The Associated Press

Gov. Wolf’s budget proposes boosting staff at Pa.’s departments of environmental protection, and conservation and natural resources

In annual budget address, Wolf talked about need for pipeline reform
By Susan Phillips
| Updated: February 5, 2020 | 9:02 am

Reid R. Frazier / StateImpact Pennsylvania

Wolf’s support for petrochemicals raises climate worries as Pennsylvania tries to cut carbon emissions

In his second term, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has set ambitious climate goals for the state. But he’s also walked a tightrope on climate, as he has embraced the fossil fuel jobs of the natural gas industry, and big carbon-emitting projects like the Shell Ethane Cracker in Beaver County.

By Reid Frazier
| Updated: February 3, 2020 | 12:29 pm

Carbon countdown clock: how much of the world's carbon budget have we spent?

The clock marks how long it will take, if the rate of greenhouse gas emissions stays the same, before 2 degrees celsius of warming is likely. The 2015 Paris climate accord seeks to keep warming well below 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels, to prevent the worst effects of climate change.

Here's how The Guardian built the clock. Here's more on Pennsylvania's response to climate change.

HEADLINES

Pollution coming from a coal burning power plant.
February 13, 2020 | 7:26 PM

Wolf’s cap-and-trade proposal takes a step forward

The Democratic governor issued an executive order declaring Pennsylvania would join a regional agreement aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Not everyone is on board.

By Katie Meyer
Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery in South Philadelphia. Workers are in the process of neutralizing a highly toxic substance as part of a shut down.
February 13, 2020 | 2:17 PM

Bankruptcy judge approves Philadelphia Energy Solutions’ sale to a developer that has no plans to re-start a refinery

By Catalina Jaramillo
A fire burns at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery hours after a series of early morning explosions at the 150-year-old industrial complex at 3100 W. Passyunk Ave.
February 12, 2020 | 9:28 AM

Philadelphia proposes banning hydrofluoric acid, a toxic chemical released in refinery explosion

The proposal stems from last summer’s explosion at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery in South Philadelphia.
By Susan Phillips
A well site in Lycoming County, Pa. (file)
February 11, 2020 | 10:47 AM

Natural gas driller, cited by DEP for fracking wastewater spill in Lycoming County, now faces criminal charges

By John Beauge/PennLive
US Steel's Clairton Coke Works
February 11, 2020 | 7:15 AM

U.S. Steel, Allegheny County Health Department finalize air pollution settlement agreement and order

By Kathleen Davis/WESA
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Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

Climate Change

Mariner East: A pipeline project plagued by mishaps and delays

PARTNERS

StateImpact Pennsylvania is a collaboration among WITF, WHYY, WESA and the Allegheny Front.

WITF WHYY WESAThe Allegheny Front
Concerned or curious about an energy issue? Ask us.
Energy Explained Podcast

MORE HEADLINES

A fisherman along the banks of the Susquehanna River. Two senior state environmental officials say there is no link between gas drilling and problems with the river's smallmouth bass population.
February 10, 2020 | 4:00 AM

Pa. not meeting Chesapeake Bay cleanup goals; Maryland may sue

EPA targeted for not forcing Pa. to meet goals
By Scott LaMar
Governor Tom Wolf delivers his 2020-21 budget address in Harrisburg on Tuesday, February 4, 2020.
February 7, 2020 | 5:37 PM

Some lawmakers think they can override Wolf’s veto on manufacturing tax break bill

Overrides are rare, and can only happen when two-thirds of the legislature are willing to support a bill against the governor’s explicit wishes. The last one happened a decade ago.

By Katie Meyer
A coal refuse pile from the early 20th century in Fredericktown, Pa. Photo: Reid R. Frazier
February 6, 2020 | 4:25 PM

Feds lower coal mine cleanup funding for Pa.

Declining coal production, end of one-time funding stream cause $20 million drop
By Reid Frazier
A Range Resources well site in Washington County in 2018.
January 31, 2020 | 10:27 AM

In Pennsylvania, poll finds registered voters split on whether to ban fracking

Support for a ban strong in cities and suburbs; weak in rural SW Pennsylvania
By Reid Frazier
The proposed PennEast pipeline would pass through the fields of the Christman farm, seen from the intersection of Station Street and Pohopoco Drive in Lehighton.
Updated: January 31, 2020 | 10:36 am

FERC sides with PennEast in opposing court decision that pipeline builder can’t use eminent domain to take public land

By Tom Johnson/NJ Spotlight
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PARTNERS

StateImpact Pennsylvania is a collaboration among WITF, WHYY, WESA and the Allegheny Front.

WITF WHYY WESAThe Allegheny Front
Concerned or curious about an energy issue? Ask us.
Energy Explained Podcast
EXPLAINERSVIEW ALL

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

Climate Change

Mariner East: A pipeline project plagued by mishaps and delays