Susan Phillips is a senior reporter/editor, covering climate, energy, and environment as part of the WHYY News Climate Desk. She is a founding member of the award-winning StateImpact Pennsylvania reporting project and a member of NPR’s energy and environment coverage team. She has worked as a reporter for WHYY since 2004, covering politics, immigration, criminal justice, and education.

Susan Phillips

Spring Birdsong Could Change with a Changing Climate

Susan Phillips·June 1, 2018

Birds come north in the spring to feed on the explosion of insects and plant life that takes place during North American summers. But a warming planet is changing what we see at our bird feeders and in our forests.

Climate Change Wildlife

Lobbyists, Lawmakers Entwined in Complex Relationship: Is it Influence Peddling, or Essential?

Susan Phillips·March 30, 2018

The gas industry spent $5.2 million last year in lobbying lawmakers. Environmental groups together spent about $300,000. What is their money buying them?

Politics

Opponents of Offshore Drilling Gear Up for a Fight

Susan Phillips·February 23, 2018

The Trump Administration has proposed opening up the entire East Coast to offshore exploration. But fishermen, environmentalists, realtors, and business owners in New Jersey are voicing their unified opinion that it's not worth the risk.

Economy Energy Politics Pollution

Mariner East 2: Texts Raise Questions About Wolf Administration Role in Permitting Process

Susan Phillips·February 9, 2018

The text messages surfaced as part of a lawsuit challenging the pipeline's permits.

Energy News Politics

An aerial view of a natural gas well pad

Fracking Linked to Low Birth Weight in Infants Born in Pennsylvania

Susan Phillips·December 15, 2017

The study tried to answer, "How close do we have to be to the fracking before there is a health effect?"

Health Pollution

A Coffee That Fights Climate Change

Susan Phillips·October 27, 2017

The low-carbon coffee is part of Costa Rica's overall plan to become the first carbon neutral nation and serve as an example to the rest of the world for how to tackle climate change.

Climate Change Food and Agriculture

A sign marks the path of the Mariner East 1

Sunoco Halts Drilling in Chester County Where Pipeline Construction Damaged Drinking Water Wells

Susan Phillips·July 14, 2017

Sunoco has agreed to halt drilling operations related to the Mariner East 2 pipeline construction in Chester County where several dozen residents have been without water for the past week.

Energy Water

Citizen Lobbyists Make Progress with Republicans on Climate

Susan Phillips·June 30, 2017

Thanks to a group of dedicated citizen lobbyists using the power of polite persistence, there’s a small but growing bipartisan movement in Congress to tackle climate change.

Climate Change Politics

Could There Be Subsidized Air Conditioning in Pennsylvania’s Future?

Susan Phillips·June 16, 2017

Climate change will bring longer, hotter heat waves to Pennsylvania. Some are worried how those living without air conditioning will survive. With President Trump pulling out of the global climate agreement, there’s a new push to get cities and states to pick up the slack. And they might also have to pick up the tab.

Climate Change Economy Politics

Allentown Teen Sues Trump Administration for Inaction on Climate

Susan Phillips·May 19, 2017

An Allentown, Pennsylvania teen with a famous grandfather is one of several young people suing the federal government for inaction on climate change.

Climate Change Environmental Justice

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Trump on Earth

EPA terminates $15M climate justice grant to Pittsburgh and Philly non-profits

Map shows what’s possible with federal clean energy investment in Pa.

Trump’s 2-year reprieve gives coal plants ‘a free pass to pollute’