How waste coal is fueling Bitcoin in Pennsylvania

Kara HolsoppleJanuary 21, 2022

Mining the cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, takes a tremendous amount of energy. In Pennsylvania, that energy is coming from waste coal.

EnergyPollutionTechnologyYour Environment Update

Utility reaches settlement with regulators over coal ash pollution in W. Pa. streams

Reid FrazierJanuary 20, 2022

West Penn Power will pay a $610,000 fine and build new pipelines at two coal ash landfills as part of a settlement with EPA and DEP. 

ConservationEnergyPollutionWaterWild Pennsylvania

Offshore wind energy lease sale in N.Y., N.J. touted as eventual jobs creator

Susan PhillipsJanuary 14, 2022

The lease covers 480,000 acres off the coasts of New Jersey and New York. The project's detractors are concerned about fisheries and tourism.

Climate ChangeEconomyEnergy

Wolf vetoes measure to block RGGI entrance

Rachel McDevittJanuary 11, 2022

The measure would keep the state from joining an effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions by charging power plants for each ton of CO2 they emit.

Climate ChangeEnergy

Pa. expects billions from the infrastructure law for coal mine cleanups. Will it help polluted waterways?

Julie GrantJanuary 7, 2022

Abandoned mines pollute thousands of miles of waterways in Pa. Advocates want to make sure funds from the new infrastructure law help pay for the cleanup.

ConservationEnergyWater

Mariner East pipeline is set to be completed in 2022, after years of environmental damage and delays

Susan PhillipsJanuary 7, 2022

From the start, Mariner East’s construction has caused dozens of drilling mud spills, led to dangerous sinkholes, and polluted drinking water.

Energy

When it comes to electricity, Pennsylvanians have lots of options

Anne DanahyDecember 30, 2021

Buyers should take time to do their homework and read the fine print when choosing an electricity provider, and keep tabs on the price.

EconomyEnergy

Long-time environmental journalist reflects on his beat in Pittsburgh

Kara HolsoppleDecember 30, 2021

Don Hopey reported on the environment for more than 25 years. He says climate change is the story of our lifetimes.

Climate ChangeEnergyYour Environment Update

Pitt study: World plastics trade accounts for 350M metric tons of CO2

Reid FrazierDecember 21, 2021

Plastic traded between countries has the carbon footprint of a mid-sized European country. By 2050, it will account for 15% of the world's greenhouse gases.

Climate ChangeEconomyEnergyPollution

DEP adjusts proposed methane rule, but critics say it’s not enough

Rachel McDevittDecember 20, 2021

They say the proposal to crack down on VOCs and methane emissions from oil and gas sites is too weak. EPA has proposed tougher rules.

Climate ChangeEnergy