StateImpact Archives

Josh Shapiro proposes state climate program to replace RGGI, asks for new renewable energy goals

Rachel McDevitt·March 14, 2024

Gov. Shapiro is offering his own version of a controversial program to limit climate-warming pollution from power plants and is setting new goals for renewable energy.

Climate Change Energy

An rusty, abandoned oil well in a snow-covered forest

Pa. gains new abandoned gas wells as it sets records capping old ones

Rachel McDevitt·February 27, 2024

Pennsylvania has hundreds of thousands of abandoned gas wells. Last year, the state plugged just 139, while gaining more than 500.

Climate Change Energy Pollution

orangish water runs over a small concrete Shute

Pennsylvania gets $101 million to clean up old mines

Rachel McDevitt·February 6, 2024

Pennsylvania has 200,000 acres of abandoned mine land and more than 5,000 miles of streams contaminated by abandoned mine runoff.

Conservation Pollution Water Wild Pennsylvania

$aerial view of a fracking well pad$

Pa. tells frackers to disclose chemicals, but it’s not clear exactly what changes the public will see

Rachel McDevitt·January 30, 2024

Gov. Josh Shapiro says fracking companies will have to publicly report what chemicals they use for drilling. But Pa. law says blended chemicals are "trade secrets."

Energy Pollution

Heavy duty diesel vehicles to be replaced with electric through grant program funded by Volkswagen settlement

Rachel McDevitt·January 24, 2024

The money will help lower transportation emissions in Pennsylvania, which make up more than 20 percent of the state’s overall greenhouse gas emissions.

Climate Change Transportation

Pennsylvania hits solar energy milestone. Advocates say there’s much more to do

Rachel McDevitt·January 10, 2024

Pennsylvania now has 1 gigawatt of solar energy capacity–enough to power all the homes in a city as big as Pittsburgh.

Climate Change Energy

A drilling rig on a hill with trees below

Pa. drilling fees for 2023 estimated to be among lowest on record

Rachel McDevitt·January 4, 2024

It's about $100 million less than the previous year. Impact fees go to communities get to help offset the effects of natural gas drilling.

Economy Energy

Pa. lawmakers debate proposal to raise state’s renewable energy goal

Rachel McDevitt·January 3, 2024

A bill in the state House would increase the amount of electricity Pennsylvania gets from renewable sources from 8% now to 30% by 2030.

Climate Change Energy

$fracking well$

Pa. drilling activity on track to be lowest in a decade

Rachel McDevitt·December 21, 2023

A new report from the state’s Independent Fiscal Office notes declines in new natural gas wells and the price of natural gas between July and September.

Economy Energy

Four large box-like structures with huge fans sits across a gravel lot

Pa. will have two years to update methane rules for oil and gas sites to match EPA

Rachel McDevitt·December 19, 2023

The new EPA rule aims to avoid 80% of methane emissions by 2038, an estimated 58 million tons. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas.

Climate Change Energy

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StateImpact

Josh Shapiro proposes state climate program to replace RGGI, asks for new renewable energy goals

Pa. gains new abandoned gas wells as it sets records capping old ones

Pennsylvania gets $101 million to clean up old mines

Pa. tells frackers to disclose chemicals, but it’s not clear exactly what changes the public will see

Heavy duty diesel vehicles to be replaced with electric through grant program funded by Volkswagen settlement

Pennsylvania hits solar energy milestone. Advocates say there’s much more to do

Pa. drilling fees for 2023 estimated to be among lowest on record

Pa. lawmakers debate proposal to raise state’s renewable energy goal

Pa. drilling activity on track to be lowest in a decade

Pa. will have two years to update methane rules for oil and gas sites to match EPA