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Energy. Environment. Economy.

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Watch: In Pa., solar set to test how local governments deal with new kind of energy infrastructure

Rachel McDevitt

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I report on energy and the environment for StateImpact Pennsylvania at WITF.

My work focuses on responses and solutions to climate change in the state legislature and communities around the state. I trace my interest in these issues back to my time as a Girl Scout and this episode of Rocko’s Modern Life.

I look forward to winter just for the chance to ski a few times each season. I try to keep myself from doom-scrolling on my phone by keeping my hands busy knitting and learning to play the piano.

I grew up in Cambria County, Pa. and graduated from Temple University. I started at WITF just after Christmas in 2014.

Solar energy is starting to take off in Pennsylvania, with developers targeting the state’s open space. Many communities may not be ready to handle.

Hundreds of solar projects are planned for Pennsylvania communities — many in rural areas that may not have dealt with energy projects before. With no clear regulations for this development, one observer says municipalities, and possibly the state, now have to figure out how to handle them.

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Centralia, Wash.’s coal plant has to close next year. Can Pa. communities learn from Centralia’s transition?

Explainers

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StateImpact Pennsylvania Team

REPORTERS

Reid Frazier

Jon Hurdle

Rachel McDevitt

Susan Phillips

PROJECT MANAGER

Michael Williams

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