Energy & Environment

USDA promotes rural energy investments in Pennsylvania

BY: - November 2, 2023

SINKING SPRING, Pa.  – To promote President Joe Biden’s “Investing in Rural America” event series, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) made two visits in the Keystone State on Thursday, touting the latest round of grants in Pennsylvania.  The USDA formally announced an additional $3.6 million in grants to help 30 agricultural producers and small […]

Court blocks Pa.’s entrance into multi-state carbon cap-and-trade program

BY: - November 1, 2023

The Commonwealth Court ruled on Wednesday that Pennsylvania cannot enter into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a multi-state initiative to limit carbon emissions, saying it violates the state Constitution. 

A bill under consideration in the Pa. House would make it easier to recycle electronic waste

BY: - October 30, 2023

State Rep. Lisa Borowski (D-Delaware) said her bill, House Bill 1607, aims to address the growing need for e-waste disposal, ease the financial impact on counties and local governments, and address the environmental concerns associated with e-waste. 

COMMENTARY

Commentary: RGGI is about climate change. It’s also about environmental justice

BY: - October 27, 2023

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) offers a chance to add funding and emphasis to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s  stated focus on environmental justice, writes Joseph Otis Minott, president of the Clean Air Action Fund.

PJM, which coordinates the flow of electricity from power generators to utility companies in 13 states and the District of Columbia, is facing complaints about how it ensures it will have enough capacity to keep the electricity flowing during a winter storm or summer heat wave. (Photo by fhm/Getty Images)

Pa. House environmental leader guts his own bill to manage crypto mining growth

BY: - October 16, 2023

The Democratic chairperson of the state House committee that vets environmental policy gutted his own bill on Monday, legislation that was designed to help the state get a regulatory grip on the energy-hungry cryptocurrency mining industry. Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) had previously called off a June 27 vote on his crypto mining bill and an […]

‘So many ways hydrogen can go wrong’: Hub announcements viewed with caution

BY: - October 14, 2023

The Friday announcement that seven projects had been selected to receive $7 billion in seed money to kickstart the production of clean hydrogen across the country was billed by President Joe Biden’s administration as a major step toward slashing carbon emissions, creating thousands of domestic jobs and positioning the U.S. as a clean energy leader. […]

Biden touts ‘transformational’ hydrogen hub economy in Philadelphia visit

BY: and - October 13, 2023

PHILADELPHIA  — President Joe Biden told an audience of union workers and elected officials gathered at the Tioga Marine Terminal on Friday that $7 billion going toward seven regional hydrogen power hubs in 16 states would be “transformational” for the United States. “I truly believe that this country is about to take off because, for […]

Biden administration to send $7 billion for clean hydrogen hubs in 16 states

BY: - October 13, 2023

The Biden administration is directing $7 billion from the bipartisan infrastructure law to build seven regional hydrogen power hubs in 16 states, the White House announced Friday. The projects, each of which is a cluster of assets that produce and process hydrogen fuel as an alternative to fossil fuels, will benefit the climate, the economy […]

Report shows that Pa. needs to boost renewable energy production, lawmakers, advocates say

BY: - October 12, 2023

The report, conducted by Environment American Research and Policy Center since 2013, showed that Pennsylvania has ranked “next-to-last among the 50 states in percentage growth of solar, wind and geothermal power” since the report started.

ZIP code discrimination, pollution top concerns at DEP meeting on environmental justice policy

BY: - October 12, 2023

Air quality, interagency collaboration, and community investments were among the chief concerns shared by Pennsylvanians about the Commonwealth’s interim environmental justice policy at a public meeting Wednesday evening. 

President Joe Biden pitches his budget plan during an appearance in Philadelphia on Thursday, 3/9/23 (Screen Capture).

Report: Pa. to receive federal grants for two hydrogen hubs

BY: - October 11, 2023

In a visit to Philadelphia on Friday, President Joe Biden is expected to announce that two hydrogen hubs partially located in Pennsylvania will receive federal grants from the Department of Energy, Reuters reported Wednesday. The Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub, which includes parts of Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey will receive a $750 million grant, Reuters […]

An acid mine drainage treatment system on Nanticoke Creek in Luzerne County, PA. New federal funding will allow more streams tainted by acid mine drainage to be restored. (PA Department of Environmental Protection photo)

DEP Environmental Justice meetings begin this week. Here’s how to participate

BY: - October 9, 2023

The 27-page policy outlines DEP’s approach to connecting with Pennsylvanians living in environmental justice communities — those disproportionately affected by factors such as poor air quality, old housing and infrastructure, and limited transportation — and explains how the agency will handle environmental compliance and enforcement efforts in these areas.