Climate change attorneys say a Pa. statute could be used to prosecute fossil fuel companies

Susan PhillipsJanuary 17, 2025

A new law journal article argues climate polluters could be criminally charged in Pennsylvania. But some say it’s a risky long shot for prosecutors.

Climate ChangeEnergyPollution

Coal was on its way out. But surging electricity demand is keeping it alive

FloodlightJanuary 15, 2025

Utilities are delaying coal plant retirements and running them even when they cost more than renewable sources.

Climate ChangeEconomyEnergyPollutionYour Environment Update

Ohio investigating well pad fire that led to evacuation of residents 

Julie GrantJanuary 3, 2025

Thursday evening, a Gulfport Energy well pad in Antrim, Ohio, exploded and burned for more than 18 hours, leading to the evacuation of residents and a road closure.

EnergyPollution

A new book takes on the dangers of radioactivity in the oil and gas industry

Kara HolsoppleDecember 30, 2024

Science journalist Justin Nobel's shocking seven-year investigation looks at how the industry has skirted regulations and endangered public health.

EnergyHealthPollutionYour Environment Update

For 50 years, Safe Drinking Water Act has reduced diseases, and now ‘forever chemicals’ in the water

Zoë ReadDecember 20, 2024

Waterborne diseases plummeted, monitoring increased and drinking water treatment was upgraded. But not everyone has benefitted equally.

HealthPollution

PennEnergy agrees to reduce harmful emissions from oil and gas sites in western Pa.

Julie GrantDecember 12, 2024

PennEnergy will make improvements at 49 oil and gas sites in western Pennsylvania and pay a $2 million civil penalty.

Climate ChangeEnergyHealthPollution

Buying refurbished electronics to save money and the planet

Kara HolsoppleDecember 11, 2024

The environmental group PennEnvironment put together a guide with tips on buying refurbished laptops, phones and tablets for holiday gifts.

Climate ChangePollutionTechnologyYour Environment Update

Fairmont residents press agencies on blast at W.V. fracking waste site

Curtis TateNovember 22, 2024

Residents are concerned about an explosion and fire last year at a facility that processes fracking waste.

EnergyHealthPollution

Report: Coal-based steelmaking causes hundreds of premature deaths and billions in health costs nationwide

Reid FrazierNovember 21, 2024

It also found nearly 250,000 cases of asthma every year were caused as a result of the air pollution from coal-based steel, such as at U.S. Steel's Mon Valley plants.

HealthPollutionYour Environment Update

Group wants stricter permit for U.S. Steel to stop oily releases into Mon River

Reid FrazierNovember 14, 2024

The DEP has cited U.S. Steel multiple times for discharging oily pollution into the Monongahela River, a drinking water source for one million people. 

PollutionWater