Rachel McDevitt, Author at The Allegheny Front

Wolf’s climate rule to be published, making Pa. first fossil fuel state to price carbon

Rachel McDevittApril 22, 2022

The regulation allowing Pa. to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative will finally be published. But Republican lawmakers and candidates running for governor are against it.

Climate ChangePolitics

Commonwealth Court pauses Pennsylvania’s effort to enact climate rule

Rachel McDevittApril 7, 2022

The regulation allowing Pa. to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative was set to take effect Saturday. Republican lawmakers asked to court to stop the rule until all legal questions are resolved.

Climate ChangePolitics

Lawmakers move to block Pennsylvania from climate program, offer federal money instead

Rachel McDevittApril 1, 2022

The bill would give $250M in federal COVID money for emissions reduction programs. But RGGI could bring in as much as $700M a year if Pa. joins.

Climate ChangePolitics

Pennsylvania lawmakers push pro-fossil fuel bills, citing Russia’s war and energy security

Rachel McDevittMarch 30, 2022

A slate of bills aimed at boosting the natural gas industry under the claim of energy security has passed a committee in the Pa. House.

Climate ChangeEnergy

DEP looks to add 40 staff to oversee water programs

Rachel McDevittMarch 23, 2022

Gov. Tom Wolf’s final budget proposal calls for a $5 million increase to the Department of Environmental Protection to hire new staff.

PoliticsWater

Pennsylvania asks for input on PFAS drinking water rule

Rachel McDevittMarch 18, 2022

PFAS are a class of toxic chemicals used to make water-, heat- and stain-resistant things like non-stick cookware and carpets.

PollutionWater

An aerial view of a natural gas well pad

Pennsylvania led gas-producing states in growth in 2021

Rachel McDevittFebruary 23, 2022

A new report credits the increase to unusually high gas prices in the second half of the year.

Energy

Penn State researchers aim to debunk myths surrounding spotted lanternfly

Rachel McDevittFebruary 11, 2022

One myth: The pest threatens all kinds of plants. But, it appears to only kill grapevines and Tree of Heaven, also an invasive species.

Conservation

Fears of Harm from Solar Panels Disproven by Science

Rachel McDevittFebruary 4, 2022

Solar energy is on the rise in Pennsylvania. Fears of toxic metals and higher temperatures from solar panels have been disproven by science.

EnergyHealth

Join StateImpact Pennsylvania’s Rachel McDevitt in her texting club about climate change

Rachel McDevittFebruary 4, 2022

Sign up for Rachel's text club to learn more about climate change and to send her your questions.

Climate Change

Full Episodes

Episode for January 17, 2025

Episode for January 10, 2025

Episode for January 3, 2025

2024 Election

What Pennsylvania voters say about the environment

Longtime environmental official on Pennsylvania election results: People will need to be ‘as tenacious as the industry’

What can we expect from a Trump administration? Our reporters weigh in.

Rachel McDevitt

Wolf’s climate rule to be published, making Pa. first fossil fuel state to price carbon

Commonwealth Court pauses Pennsylvania’s effort to enact climate rule

Lawmakers move to block Pennsylvania from climate program, offer federal money instead

Pennsylvania lawmakers push pro-fossil fuel bills, citing Russia’s war and energy security

DEP looks to add 40 staff to oversee water programs

Pennsylvania asks for input on PFAS drinking water rule

Pennsylvania led gas-producing states in growth in 2021

Penn State researchers aim to debunk myths surrounding spotted lanternfly

Fears of Harm from Solar Panels Disproven by Science

Join StateImpact Pennsylvania’s Rachel McDevitt in her texting club about climate change

Rachel McDevitt