May 28, 2020 | 6:38 AM
DEP stood to gain new staffers, but now faces flat funding to start next fiscal year
Governor Tom Wolf’s proposed budget included $5 million to hire more staff at DEP and DCNR.
Rachel McDevitt
Rachel McDevitt is a reporter for StateImpact Pennsylvania at WITF.
Rachel joined WITF in 2017 as the host of Fresh Air and All Things Considered. She previously reported for WITF’s Radio Pennsylvania Network, where her work earned the National Association of State Radio Network’s award for best feature two years in a row. The western Pennsylvania native started her journalism career with the CBS affiliate in Bridgeport, West Virginia. Rachel is a graduate of Temple University.
Rachel joined WITF in 2017 as the host of Fresh Air and All Things Considered. She previously reported for WITF’s Radio Pennsylvania Network, where her work earned the National Association of State Radio Network’s award for best feature two years in a row. The western Pennsylvania native started her journalism career with the CBS affiliate in Bridgeport, West Virginia. Rachel is a graduate of Temple University.
Latest by Rachel McDevitt
May 20, 2020 | 4:56 PM
As states plan to sue EPA over Chesapeake Bay cleanup, agency promises modest funds to help efforts
EPA says Pennsylvania has the largest commitment to reduce nitrogen among bay states.
May 19, 2020 | 4:27 PM
Gov. Wolf vetoes bill that would halt new regulations during pandemic
The Democratic governor said the prohibition, in a bill passed along party lines by the GOP-led legislature, would violate the separation of powers between the legislative and executive branches, and would halt an essential government operation.
May 12, 2020 | 8:50 AM
Gas prices rising as stay-at-home orders lift, but could stay low for months
Gas prices are starting to climb slightly after taking a hit during economic shutdowns ordered in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
May 1, 2020 | 5:16 AM
Report finds poultry farming sends more pollution to Chesapeake Bay than previously thought
The Environmental Integrity Project’s analysis estimates that about 1 million more pounds of nitrogen pollution are entering the Chesapeake Bay each year from the poultry industry than state and federal cleanup programs estimate.
April 29, 2020 | 5:45 AM
Two Pa. colleges hit carbon neutrality goals
Allegheny College and Dickinson College hit their goals this month.
April 23, 2020 | 6:09 PM
DEP projects Pa. could cut carbon emissions dramatically as part of cap-and-trade effort
Some GOP lawmakers oppose Gov. Tom Wolf’s executive order for Pa. to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
By
Rachel McDevitt 
April 21, 2020 | 10:11 AM
American Lung Association’s latest air quality report claims climate change will make it harder to protect health
Pennsylvania areas showed some improvement in the report, but air quality in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas remains poor.
March 30, 2020 | 6:47 AM
State environmental regulator cancels public hearings due to COVID-19
Neil Shader, DEP communications director, said they decided to cancel and not postpone because it’s unclear when the COVID-19 pandemic will be brought under control.
March 2, 2020 | 7:35 PM
Dickinson College takes big step toward becoming carbon-neutral
Dickinson College is partnering with three other schools on a renewable energy contract to help each one offset its greenhouse gas emissions.
