StateImpact Archives

In Letter, Lawmakers Ask RGGI Administrator to Block Pennsylvania from Joining

Rachel McDevitt·May 11, 2021

GOP lawmakers are trying to bypass Gov. Wolf's efforts to have Pennsylvania join the regional cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Climate Change Energy

$fracking image$

2 Drilling Companies Hope to Cut Methane Leaks and Rebrand Gas as ‘Responsibly Sourced’

Rachel McDevitt·May 7, 2021

A certification program to monitor for methane leaks from fracking operations hopes to label natural gas as "responsibly sourced."

Climate Change Energy

Pa. Climate Report Predicts Nearly 6-Degree Temperature Rise, More Heat Waves and Intense Storms by 2050

Rachel McDevitt·May 7, 2021

Pennsylvania could have more than a month’s worth of days 90 degrees or higher through the year by midcentury. “The public should be shocked by these numbers."

Climate Change

Study Finds Patients Near U.S. Steel Plant Had Worse Asthma After 2018 Fire

Reid Frazier·May 7, 2021

A 2018 Christmas Eve fire at the Clairton Coke Works knocked out pollution controls for three months, resulting in large releases of sulfur dioxide, a lung irritant.

Health Pollution

Legislature Revives Effort to Create Special Standards for Conventional Drillers

Rachel McDevitt·May 5, 2021

The bill would loosen rules for reporting spills and allow drillers to spread wastewater on roads. But opponents say the brine has high levels of radioactivity.

Energy

A drilling rig looms behind a suburban house

Law Meant to Push Drilling Further From Houses Had Little Impact, Study Finds

Reid Frazier·May 3, 2021

Exemptions in the law and permissions from owners put hundreds of wells closer to homes, schools and churches than the 500-foot setback meant to protect public health.

Energy Health News

U.S. Steel Cancels $1B Upgrade to Pittsburgh Plants

Reid Frazier·April 30, 2021

The company said they've seen the future of steelmaking: "When facts change, we must change.” Elected officials, regulators, environmentalists, and unions weigh in.

Pollution

Homer City power plant in Indiana County, Pennsylvania generated enough electricity in 2014 to power a million homes. Photo: Reid Frazier

In RGGI Fight Escalation, GOP Blocks Wolf’s Nominations to Utility Regulator

Rachel McDevitt·April 27, 2021

State Senate Republicans say they'll block Gov. Wolf’s appointments to the PUC unless he stops his effort to have Pa. join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

Climate Change Energy Politics

Senate Moves Bill to Keep Pa. Out of RGGI Without General Assembly’s OK

Rachel McDevitt·April 27, 2021

State lawmakers are advancing a new attempt to prevent the commonwealth from joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative targeting power plant emissions.

Climate Change Energy Politics

U.S. Steel Drops Plan for Fracking at Steel Mill

Reid Frazier·April 27, 2021

U.S. Steel dropped plans for a fracking company to drill at the Edgar Thomson plant in Braddock. The decision comes after years of opposition from some residents.

Energy

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