Marie Cusick is a reporter for StateImpact Pennsylvania, a collaboration between WITF and WHYY covering the fiscal and environmental impact of Pennsylvania’s booming energy economy.

Marie Cusick

With Policy Change, Nearly a Third of Pennsylvanians Live in ‘Environmental Justice’ Areas

Marie Cusick·July 20, 2018

The Environmental Justice designation is aimed at protecting poor and minority communities that often bear the brunt of pollution. But the update leaves out oil and gas drilling operations.

Environmental Justice Pollution

Study: Methane Emissions Cancel Near-Term Climate Benefits of Natural Gas

Marie Cusick·June 29, 2018

Emissions from the nation’s oil and gas industry are nearly 60 percent higher than EPA estimates. That's bad for the climate because methane is 86 times more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.

Climate Change Energy

Virus Linked to Smallmouth Bass Deaths in Susquehanna

Marie Cusick·June 15, 2018

Researchers found the virus itself doesn’t kill the fish. However, at higher water temperatures, it can weaken their immune system and allow other infections to spread, which ultimately finish off the fish.

Water Wildlife

Wolf Administration Walks Back Timeline for Methane Regulations

Marie Cusick·June 15, 2018

Two and half years after announcing a major climate initiative, the Wolf administration has only followed through on part of its plan.

Climate Change Politics Pollution

VIDEO: Why Are So Many Gas Pipelines Being Built?

Marie Cusick·May 23, 2018

Natural gas pipelines are all around us, most hiding in plain sight. Recently, there's been a building boom, especially here in PA. Buy why?

Energy Video

Penn State Researchers Join International Effort to Study Antarctic ‘Doomsday’ Glacier

Marie Cusick·May 4, 2018

The Thwaites Glacier on the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is about the size of Pennsylvania. Reasonable modeling suggests it could lead to three feet of global sea level rise in the next century so its threatening nickname may not be far off.

Climate Change

Is the U.S. Power Grid Safe From Russian Hackers?

Marie Cusick·April 20, 2018

The joint alert from the FBI and Department of Homeland Security warning that Russia was hacking into critical U.S. energy infrastructure came as no surprise to the nation’s largest grid operator.

Energy Politics

Proposed Bill Takes ‘Principled Position’: By 2050, PA Should Use Only Renewable Energy

Marie Cusick·April 20, 2018

A bipartisan group of state legislators want Pennsylvania to aim for 100 percent renewable energy by the middle of this century.

Energy Politics

brown Floodwater on the streets near a home

Poll Shows Most PA Voters Say Climate Change Causing Problems Now

Marie Cusick·March 30, 2018

According to a Franklin & Marshall College/StateImpact Pennsylvania poll released Thursday, more than two-thirds of voters say the state should be doing more to address it.

Climate Change News

Why Some Strike it Rich in the Natural Gas Patch, and Others Strike Out

Marie Cusick·March 2, 2018

Royalty money from natural gas drilling has helped save many struggling family farms. But many people now say this economic windfall is being doled out in an unfair, and possibly illegal, manner.

Economy Energy

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