Shell's new petrochemical facility in western Pennsylvania could bring emissions of some air pollutants back to levels the region hasn't seen since the 1990s.
Natural gas pipelines have become common features of the rural landscape in Pennsylvania. But as the industry expands, pipelines are coming to suburbia. The issue is how to make them safe.
For all the attention carbon dioxide gets in the conversation about climate change, methane is up to 100 times more powerful a greenhouse gas. And the reason why has a lot to do with how it absorbs sunlight.
To meet pollution requirements for its new petrochemical plant, Shell plans to buy emissions credits from power plants that have been closed for years. And yes, that's legal.
The owner of the natural gas pipeline that exploded last month in western Pennsylvania faced some tough questions from residents at a recent public Q&A.
In the wake of the drilling boom, Pennsylvania is now seeing a boom in natural gas pipeline construction. But last week's explosion has some Pennsylvanians raising big questions about pipeline safety.
Reid R. Frazier covers energy for The Allegheny Front. His work has taken him as far away as Texas and Louisiana to report on the petrochemical industry and as close to home as Greene County, Pennsylvania to cover the shale gas boom. His award-winning work has also aired on NPR, Marketplace and other outlets. Reid is currently contributing to StateImpact Pennsylvania, a collaboration among The Allegheny Front, WESA, WITF and WHYY covering the Commonwealth's energy economy.
