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

EPA Takes up Environmental Justice Complaint Against Philly’s Permit for Natural Gas Power Plant

Susan Phillips·July 30, 2021

Residents and activists say the project will increase air pollution and lock in reliance on fossil fuels. They claim institutional racism is involved in the decision.

Environmental Justice

An aerial view of a natural gas well pad

EPA-Approved Fracking Chemicals Include PFAS, a ‘Forever Chemical’

Susan Phillips·July 14, 2021

The Physicians for Social Responsibility found PFAS was used in 1,200 wells in six states. Although no evidence shows that PFAS was used in Pennsylvania, “we can’t be confident that we know everything."

Energy Health

Judge Orders Sunoco to Improve Public Communication and Pipeline Safety on Mariner East Project

Susan Phillips·April 16, 2021

The company's written materials must include the terms “property damage, personal injury, burns, asphyxiation, and death (fatality),” from a pipeline leak or explosion.

Energy Follow the Pipeline

Opening Spaces of Welcome on Now-Hidden Shorelines

Susan Phillips·April 2, 2021

Stacy Levy is an artist who works with rain, urban tides, and watersheds. She shares her vision for the Delaware River Watershed.

Essay Recreation Water

A Bald Eagle Brings Joy in Philadelphia

Susan Phillips·March 26, 2021

Look up when you're in Philadelphia and you might just see a bald eagle. But what makes Philly a good home for this once-endangered bird? The Delaware.

Conservation Wild Pennsylvania Wildlife

Philadelphia, Suburban Towns Sue State Over Moratorium on Plastic Bag Bans

Susan Phillips·March 5, 2021

These local governments say lawmakers' extension of the plastic bag moratorium was 'undemocratic.' They say they have a right to find local solutions to local problems.

Politics Pollution

The Delaware River in Philadelphia is a tidal river that will be affected by sea level rise. Photo: Mark Willard via Flickr

Delaware River Basin Commission Votes to Ban Fracking in the Watershed

Susan Phillips·February 26, 2021

The four-state commission cited scientific evidence that fracking has polluted drinking water, surface water, and groundwater.

Energy Water

U.S. Supreme Court to Hear PennEast Pipeline Eminent Domain Case

Susan Phillips·February 4, 2021

New Jersey says the pipeline company can't take state-controlled conservation land for the project. A federal appeals court agreed that condemning public land violates the 11th Amendment.

Energy Follow the Pipeline

With Biden vow to rejoin Paris Agreement, cities and states look forward to federal partnership on climate

Susan Phillips·January 20, 2021

Cities and states have had to tackle climate change with little to no federal help over the past four years. That's about to change.

Climate Change

Fears for Safety and Climate Surround LNG Export Terminal Planned on the Delaware River

Susan Phillips·December 11, 2020

What scares people the most is transporting flammable LNG 200 miles along the I-95 corridor through densely populated areas.

Climate Change Energy Health

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Trump on Earth

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

Pa. clean energy businesses call on McCormick, Fetterman to preserve tax credits

Pa. Republican congressmen applaud EPA plan to roll back Biden-era climate rules