Solar installations on homes have been booming because of tax breaks from the Inflation Reduction Act. Now, those incentives are going away. Pennsylvania could also lose $156 million meant to help low-income people reduce their energy bills through solar power. But seventy acres of a former steel slag heap is almost cleaned up and ready to transform into a sea of solar panels. The price for energy is rising at the region’s electric grid operator. Companies that mine metallurgical coal are now in line to receive a 2.5 percent tax credit thanks to President Trump’s budget bill.
What will happen as the federal government cuts funding and staff at agencies that study climate and weather? A study found widespread microplastic pollution in streams across North Central Appalachia. About 18 percent of private wells in Pennsylvania are contaminated with toxic PFAS chemicals. Pennsylvania is among a group of states suing the Trump administration over its decision to cancel a grant program meant to help communities prepare for disasters.
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‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ cast shade over Pennsylvania’s solar boom - The future of solar installation companies and manufacturing plants is in doubt with the early phase out of tax credits in the new law.
Pennsylvania sues Trump’s FEMA over end of grant program that helps states prevent flooding - More than $130 million in federal funds for projects across Pennsylvania to help communities prepare for disasters have been canceled.
Penn State professor explains how climate change affects weather - The recent heat wave in Pittsburgh and severe floods in Texas are just two examples of recent weather events intensified by climate change.
Trump’s tax cut bill turned a clean energy tax credit into an instrument to boost coal - Metallurgical coal is used in steelmaking is a significant greenhouse gas polluter. Companies that mine metallurgical coal are now in line to receive a 2.5 percent tax credit.
Solar for All program at risk in Pa. if state lawmakers don’t act soon - Pennsylvania could lose $156 million meant for low-income people reduce their energy bills through solar if state lawmakers don’t act before September.
Penn State study finds toxic PFAS in 18% of private wells in Pennsylvania - The highest concentrations of PFAS were detected in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
West Virginia University study finds microplastic pollution in Appalachian streams - The study found widespread microplastic pollution across some Appalachian streams, which poses ecological and public health risks.
