Rachel McDevitt, Author at The Allegheny Front

Pa. didn’t plan for the end of coal. This community is trying to find a way forward.

Rachel McDevitt·October 18, 2024

After the Homer City coal-fired power plant closed last year, residents of the Indiana County community are trying to make a go of tourism by cleaning up its legacy pollution.

Economy Energy Pollution Recreation Water

Pa. solar companies would need to plan for eventual cleanup under bill in state House

Rachel McDevitt·October 3, 2024

Under the bill, companies would have to prove they have enough money to cover 10% of cleanup costs before building, growing to 100% by the time the project is 25 years old.

Energy

Signs and fliers for the 'Life Waste' musical on a table

‘Life Waste’: A musical tour of food waste, cow manure and biogas

Rachel McDevitt·October 2, 2024

The exploration of transforming waste to renewable energy is illustrated through songs titled “Behold the Cow,” “Making Gas,” “Dirt” and “Recycling Song.”

Climate Change Energy Food and Agriculture

What can one person do about climate change? The food we (don’t) eat

Rachel McDevitt·September 27, 2024

If food waste were a country, it would be the third-largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world. What you can do in your own home to reduce food waste.

Climate Change Food and Agriculture

Four gray towers with water and greenery in front.

Fear, hope among mixed reactions as Three Mile Island plans to restart

Rachel McDevitt·September 26, 2024

Constellation, the owner of the nuclear plant, hopes to have it back online by 2028 to supply Microsoft with carbon-free energy.

Climate Change Economy Energy Technology

Pa. Senate votes to repeal climate program known as RGGI

Rachel McDevitt·September 18, 2024

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is a cap and trade program. Pennsylvania would join 10 other states to cut carbon from power plants.

Climate Change Energy Politics

A mãp of the US in black with light gray outlines across the country with yellow sections.

Methane emissions much higher than gas industry targets, study says

Rachel McDevitt·September 17, 2024

A new report says that so much methane is being leaked that it could meet the energy needs of more than half of U.S. homes every year.

Climate Change Energy

A man stands at a podium at the bottom of steps inside the state capitol holding a report.

Report calls for tougher lead testing standards for Pa. school districts

Rachel McDevitt·September 10, 2024

The report by PennEnvironment finds that schools can avoid remediation measures for lead contamination, while still being compliant with state law.

Health Pollution Water

A large field, covered in solar panels, and a large blue sky

Stormwater runoff not an issue in solar fields with proper management, study finds

Rachel McDevitt·August 23, 2024

A new Penn State study shows both natural and built solutions can stop runoff becoming a problem at large solar installations.

Climate Change Energy

Smoke stakes at an industrial facility in front of a blue sky

Pa. Supreme Court collecting briefs in RGGI case

Rachel McDevitt·August 15, 2024

The court is considering written arguments in the case over whether a program to cut pollution from power plants should be allowed in Pennsylvania.

Climate Change Energy Politics

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Trump on Earth

Why Trump’s budget bill could mean ‘America’s electric vehicle surrender’

Atlantic Shores seeks to cancel offshore wind contract with N.J., but says it hasn’t abandoned the project

Despite court order, black lung screening program still not fully functional

Rachel McDevitt