Spotlight PA, Author at The Allegheny Front

Spotlight PA: America’s future depends on a thriving free press, and it’s time we take it back

Spotlight PADecember 28, 2024

By Christopher Baxter | Spotlight PA Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalis...

Essay

The sun rises over the state Capitol building in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Secrecy still pervades Pennsylvania state government, but Spotlight PA is fighting back

Spotlight PAMarch 12, 2024

The one constant in Harrisburg no matter the dominant political party is a reflexive inclination to shield information from the public.

News

A bulletin board in Rothrock State Forest

Pennsylvania is investing millions to ensure people of all backgrounds, abilities have access to public lands

Spotlight PANovember 28, 2023

Pennsylvania agencies have made headway in expanding access to public lands, but not everyone feels safe or welcome at parks and forests.

ConservationEnvironmental JusticeRecreationWild Pennsylvania

How a proposed solar project prompted this rural Pa. township to face its mining past

Spotlight PANovember 24, 2023

A Centre County township wrestles with a proposed solar farm on a site where runoff from past coal mining is polluting a watershed.

EnergyWater

This rural township wants to make it easier for other places in Pa. to fight injection wells

Spotlight PAOctober 23, 2023

Officials in Clara Township, Potter County, said they weren't notified about an injection well application in time. They want to change that.

Energy

Safety, oversight concerns raised as Pa. lawmakers pursue billions for hydrogen hubs

Spotlight PAJune 23, 2023

Some lawmakers and environmentalists fear the state isn’t prepared to take on oversight for capturing carbon and storing it deep underground.

Climate ChangeEnergyPolitics

Tom Wolf signs $2 billion tax package that encourages natural gas production in Pa.

Spotlight PANovember 3, 2022

Despite the size of the package, lawmakers introduced and passed the bill in just a few hours with no public hearings.

Climate ChangeEconomyEnergyPolitics

As the election approaches, Wolf and Pa. lawmakers look to push through massive tax incentives for natural gas

Spotlight PAOctober 26, 2022

The package’s focus on fossil fuels — $80 million a year through 2045 for natural gas production — has raised alarm bells among environmental groups.

Climate ChangeEnergy

$fracking well$

Where governor candidates Mastriano, Shapiro stand on energy and the environment

Spotlight PAOctober 7, 2022

Republican Doug Mastriano has called for deregulating the state’s fossil fuel industries. Democrat Josh Shapiro wants “responsible fracking.”

Climate ChangeEnergyPolitics

The Pennsylvania Wilds is known for quiet. Residents worry fighter jet training will disturb the silence.

Spotlight PADecember 7, 2021

Jets would fly just 100 feet above the ground, sparking concern that tourism, wildlife and quality of life could be impacted.

ConservationRecreationWild PennsylvaniaWildlifeYour Environment Update

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.

Spotlight PA