The Allegheny Front

A racist government policy enacted decades ago has led to fewer green spaces in many communities across the country. Grow Pittsburgh has a new executive director. People in counties with drilling activity haven't seen the economic benefits of the industry. Counting penguins from your couch.

Some in Ohio say frack waste injection wells are being permitted in places where they don’t belong. Activists want a permit revoked for an injection well near Pittsburgh. A local practitioner shows us his version of ski ballet. There may be snow on the ground, but we're planning for that summer garden now. 

Reports of illegal dumping are up in Pennsylvania. Why? A wastewater authority is promoting solar energy in Centre County. A report criticizes DEP for allowing coal mining to damage streams. Allegheny County finally meets air quality standards.

Fears of harms from solar panels have been disproven by scientists. The Biden administration's policies on public lands will be very different from Trump's. We look at environmental issues in the Pennsylvania legislature for the coming year. Climate scientist Michael Mann discusses new tactics by climate deniers, and why he's so optimistic for the future.

Pennsylvania is on the cusp of a solar boom, but are some against rows of solar panels in their backyards. Efforts in Ohio to create heavier penalties for trespass of infrastructure like gas pipelines. A former Trump EPA official shares his story and concerns about the role of science at the agency.

A look back at environmental stories of 2020. Blaming the pandemic, some people doubt that a petrochemical boom will come to the Ohio Valley. The boom and bust of the coal industry means Appalachia needs new economic solutions to undo decades of neglect. And the massive protests against racial discrimination last year brought more attention to environmental justice. 

We slow down and revisit some stories from 2020. Researchers hope to restore the iconic American chestnut with the help of genetic engineering. We take a hike that learn what to see and hear in winter. A car accident causes climate activists to hit "pause" and explore their feelings of anger and hope. An author discusses the last frontier of the farm-to-table movement: local flour.