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.
New York and New Jersey have used a provision of the Clean Water Act to halt pipeline projects carrying shale gas from Pennsylvania across state lines.
The invasive plant is pitting conservationists who want it removed to protect native species against land managers who say it's keeping coastal land intact.
Pa.'s climate assessment predicts chicken farms will move to Pennsylvania to escape sweltering temperatures in the South, causing more water pollution.
The federal agency said its new policy doesn't mean facilities can exceed pollution limits. Meanwhile, Pa. DEP is developing guidance to evaluate requests to waive permit conditions.
The pipeline company said the waivers are necessary to prevent "potential adverse impacts to human health or the environment.” Critics say they are trying to skirt the rules.