Inside Climate News

Founded in 2007, Inside Climate News is a Pulitzer Prize-winning, nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that provides essential reporting and analysis on climate change, energy and the environment, for the public and for decision makers.

A warning sign posted in a wooded area reading, "WARNING Hazardous Waste Discharge Point."

Pollution from a Westmoreland Co. landfill caused problems for decades. Fracking waste made it worse

Inside Climate NewsMarch 6, 2025

Max Environmental Technologies hazardous waste landfill in Westmoreland County has a history of compliance problems. Fracking waste, which is often radioactive, made it worse.

EnergyPollutionWater

Two people in bright yellow safety coats stand at the top of a hill of exposed dirt and rocks with debris mixed in.

The ‘horror story’ of hazardous waste in a small Pennsylvania town

Inside Climate NewsFebruary 23, 2025

An EPA investigation confirmed residents’ worst fears about operations at an industrial landfill. What happens next is all too uncertain.

HealthPollutionWater

A Norfolk Southern locomotive crossing over a street

Norfolk Southern rail bridges in western Pennsylvania in disrepair, study warns

Inside Climate NewsFebruary 3, 2025

The company dismissed the findings of a new report on 20 rail bridges in the Pittsburgh area. The company's train derailed two years ago in East Palestine, Ohio.

East PalestineTransportation

Trump’s executive orders champion fossil fuels, knock back wind power

Kara HolsoppleJanuary 24, 2025

We break down President Donald Trump's executive orders that declare an energy emergency, prioritize drilling and pull back on wind and EV development.

Climate ChangeEconomyEnergyPollutionTransportationTrump on Earth

Summer Lee speaks into microphones at a podium outside.

Climate advocates rally around a progressive fracking opponent, Pittsburgh-area Rep. Summer Lee

Inside Climate NewsApril 11, 2024

Lee's campaign said it has endorsements from 14 climate and environmental groups. Her opponent, Bhavini Patel, has support from trade unions.

Climate ChangePolitics

Governor Shapiro stands in front of a table holding a signed agreement with 2 men on either side of him.

In his first year as governor, Josh Shapiro forged alliances with the gas industry, angering environmentalists

Inside Climate NewsFebruary 8, 2024

Gov. Shapiro has sought to both regulate the gas industry and embrace it, a sharp contrast to his approach to fracking as attorney general.

EnergyHistoryPolitics

Pittsburgh lauded for its ‘innovative’ rules to curb climate-fueled flooding

Inside Climate NewsJanuary 8, 2024

The National Climate Assessment shines a light on the city’s plans to curb flooding based on projections for heavier, climate-amplified precipitation.

Climate Change

Documents reveal new details about Pennsylvania governor’s secret working group on greenhouse gas emissions

Inside Climate NewsAugust 2, 2023

A secret committee packed with energy companies that will determine if Pennsylvania would benefit from joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

Climate ChangeEnergyPolitics

‘Advanced’ plastic recycling using high heat and chemicals is environmentally problematic, a new government study finds

James BruggersFebruary 1, 2023

Industry is pursuing various technologies to recycle plastic, but environmentalists say they only worsen environmental problems.

PollutionYour Environment Update

‘We do have questions to answer’ about single-use plastic waste, Shell internal emails reveal

James BruggersDecember 21, 2022

Emails between Shell communication officials were made public as part of a congressional investigation into the fossil fuel industry and climate change.

EnergyPollutionThe Coming Chemical Boom

Full Episodes

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Trump on Earth

Pa. farmers among hundreds impacted by Trump admin’s gutting of climate-friendly grants

Trump grants exemptions from mercury rules for coal-fired power plants, including several in Pennsylvania

Trump moves to quickly slash federal regulations, target state and corporate climate efforts