Pittsburgh City Council passes bill to ban single-use plastic bags in the city

Ariel WorthyApril 12, 2022

Under the ban, plastic bags won't be an option for shoppers or for take-out. But it won't take effect for another year.

PoliticsPollution

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

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

Democrats spar over climate crisis at Senate debate in Pittsburgh

Lucy PerkinsMarch 20, 2022

While the candidates agreed on the importance of issues like protecting abortion and voting rights, they differed on how to address climate change.

Climate ChangeEnergyPolitics

Legislation pits two climate efforts — solar energy and plugging abandoned gas wells — against each other

Rachel McDevittJanuary 28, 2022

The GOP-backed bill would require the state to sell credits created by government-owned renewable energy projects and use the money to plug abandoned oil and gas wells.

Climate ChangeEnergyPolitics

Lawmakers vote to stop state’s entrance to cap-and-trade program

Rachel McDevittDecember 16, 2021

Gov. Wolf is likely to veto the measure. The House and Senate would each have 30 calendar days or 10 legislative days–whichever is longer–to try to override it.

Climate ChangeEnergyPolitics

AG’s office approves RGGI rule, after Shapiro criticized the plan

Rachel McDevittDecember 10, 2021

Pa. is another step closer to joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative which puts a price on carbon emissions from power plants.

Climate ChangePoliticsPollution

Senate moves to block key part of Wolf’s climate plan

Rachel McDevittOctober 28, 2021

The Senate passed a resolution disapproving the rule to allow Pa. to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas initiative. The vote was shy of a veto-proof majority. It now goes to the House.

Climate ChangeEnergyPolitics

Lawmakers Move to Block RGGI After Rule Wins Regulatory Approval

Rachel McDevittSeptember 3, 2021

A House committee passed a disapproval resolution for the rule. The House and Senate now have a deadline to send disapproval resolutions to the governor, who can veto them.

Climate ChangeEnergyPolitics