Pa. fines Shell $15 million for air pollution from its Beaver County plastics plant
The plant went over the allowable limit for benzene, a carcinogen, and it failed to perform testing required by the state.
Energy
Energy bills driven by data centers threaten Pa. small businesses, report says
Small businesses may end up subsidizing mammoth tech companies’ AI data centers, according to a report from the Pennsylvania Sustainable Business Network.
Gov. Shapiro wants data centers to bring their own power. What’s that mean for prices and pollution?
Environmental advocates and energy analysts are calling on the General Assembly to do more to regulate data centers.
How tiny Archbald Borough is handling a data center rush
The Lackawanna County borough has more data centers proposed than any other municipality in Pennsylvania.
Opposition to data center construction is rising sharply, survey says
Opposition to new data center construction has jumped significantly among both Democrats and Republicans.
Pa. Gov. Shapiro signs executive order to ‘rein in’ data center development
The order will force data center developers to abide by several rules, including a requirement to obtain a stamp of approval from local officials.
Policy playbook urges Pa. lawmakers look to renewables, not fossil fuels, for energy affordability
The playbook calls for legalizing community solar, which are neighborhood-scale solar arrays that people nearby can subscribe to directly.
State to study whether area in Laurel Highlands is ‘unsuitable’ for coal mine
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection will conduct an expansive technical review of the Rustic Ridge coal mine, studying impacts to drinking water, wildlife, and tourism.
U.S. Steel’s ‘ineffective’ safety procedures led to explosion that killed two, federal chemical safety board concludes
U.S. Steel failed to follow industry guidelines that could have prevented or reduced the severity of the explosion, a federal agency found.
Environmental group claims DEP is falling behind reporting on underground mining damages in Pa.
The Citizens Coal Council says the quality of information in DEP’s latest report represents a backslide compared to previous ones.
