Why the Republican-Led Legislature Isn’t Acting on Climate Change

Rachel McDevittAugust 13, 2020

The Pennsylvania GOP has dealt with climate change with inaction, skepticism and support for fossil fuels.

Climate ChangePolitics

Green Stimulus Proposal Calls for Departure from Legislative Business as Usual

Rachel McDevittJuly 29, 2020

PennFuture calls for supporting nature-based tourism, agriculture and renewable energy and creating a modern-day Civilian Conservation Corps.

CoronavirusEconomy

Wolf, Legislature Draw Closer to More Natural Gas Tax Breaks

Rachel McDevittJuly 15, 2020

Lawmakers say Wolf has agreed to a compromise measure to incentivize the use of natural gas in fertilizer and petrochemical manufacturing.

EnergyPoliticsThe Coming Chemical Boom

Pa. House moves to block RGGI entrance as DEP estimates it will save money and lives

Rachel McDevittJuly 10, 2020

Under RGGI, a cap-and-trade program, power plants have to pay for the carbon dioxide they emit.

PoliticsPollution

Pa. Lawmakers Hear From Industry, Environmental Advocates on Impact of Cap-and-Trade Program

Rachel McDevittJune 25, 2020

They're weighing the risks and benefits of Pennsylvania joining a regional cap-and trade-program targeting greenhouse gases.

Climate ChangeEnergy

Impact Fees Collected From Gas Drillers Dropped in 2019

Rachel McDevittJune 18, 2020

Drillers paid just over $200 million last year, about $51 million less than in 2018. The money goes to communities where drilling happens, to help offset the effects of the industry.

EconomyEnergy

House Committee Takes First Step to Block Pa.’s Entry into Cap-and-Trade Program

Rachel McDevittJune 12, 2020

The cap-and-trade program would address climate change by putting a price on carbon emissions. Republicans say it's a tax.

Climate ChangeEconomyEnergy

PA DEP Faces Flat Funding to Start Next Fiscal Year

Rachel McDevittMay 29, 2020

DEP was hoping to add more staff, but now funding may remain flat due to revenue losses from the coronavirus shutdown.

CoronavirusPolitics

Gov. Wolf Vetoes Bill That Would Halt New Regulations During Pandemic

Rachel McDevittMay 21, 2020

Environmental and other groups opposed the bill. GOP says lawmakers and agencies need time to focus on the coronavirus crisis.

CoronavirusPolitics

Report: Poultry Farming Sends More Pollution to Chesapeake Bay Than Previously Thought

Rachel McDevittMay 1, 2020

The Environmental Integrity Project says about a million more pounds of nitrogen pollution are getting into the bay. Half of Pa. land drains into the Chesapeake.

Food and AgriculturePollutionWater