Trump on Earth

We’re tracking the Trump administration’s cuts to environmental agencies, regulatory rollbacks and contract cancellations with interviews about the big picture and stories about the repercussions in our region.

Governor Josh Shapiro speaks at a podium with a sign that reads, "300 wells capped. Washington County, PA.

Federal money to plug Pa.’s dangerous wells is unfrozen, but uncertainty plagues contractors

Spotlight PAMarch 25, 2025

by Kate Huangpu and Katie Meyer of Spotlight PA The Allegheny Front partners with Spotlight PA, a collaborative, reader-funded newsroom producing accountabil...

Climate ChangeEnergyTrump on Earth

EPA pulls permit from New Jersey offshore wind project

Susan PhillipsMarch 19, 2025

The EPA has pulled Atlantic Shores’ air permit for its offshore wind project. The company argues the permit was final and not up for review.

EnergyPoliticsTrump on Earth

Two people stand at an observation deck overlooking a large lake

Raystown Lake cancels campground reservations amid federal job cuts and hiring freezes

Sydney RoachMarch 19, 2025

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which manages the property, said recreation and stewardship events also will be reduced and canceled.

PoliticsRecreationTrump on Earth

Close-up of smoke billowing out of a smokestack.

‘Cartoon villainy’: Former regulators say EPA’s planned rollbacks would reverse 50 years of environmental progress

WHYYMarch 14, 2025

The EPA administrator Lee Zeldin announced planned rollbacks of 31 rules to help promote industry and lower the cost of living. He didn't mention protecting the environment or public health.

PoliticsPollutionTrump on Earth

A man with white hair in a brown leather jacket stands in front of a large brick church with solar panels on the roof

Solar power supporters in Pa. say outlook is positive, even as policies could change under Trump

Anne DanahyMarch 7, 2025

The solar industry is booming. More churches and schools in Pennsylvania are hoping to take advantage of tax incentives and reap the utility bill savings.

Climate ChangeEconomyEnergyTrump on Earth

Goats graze in a green field, a blue sky with white clouds

Pennsylvania farm group faces layoffs amid federal funding freeze

Julie GrantFebruary 28, 2025

The Trump administration has frozen USDA funds committed to Pasa Sustainable Agriculture to help farmers pay for climate-related projects.

Climate ChangeFood and AgricultureTrump on EarthWater

A man in a green vest and tan baseball hat stands in front of a snowy hill.

Trump’s federal funding freeze brought some abandoned mine cleanup in Pennsylvania to a standstill

Reid FrazierFebruary 28, 2025

Pennsylvania has the most abandoned coal mines in the U.S. Trump’s month-long funding freeze brought some of the work to fix it to a halt.

EnergyPoliticsPollutionTrump on Earth

Conservationists raise alarm over federal employee firings

Kara HolsoppleFebruary 28, 2025

The program manager of the Western Virginia Highlands Conservancy on what employee firings at key agencies could mean for conservation efforts in her state and across the nation.

ConservationPoliticsRecreationTrump on EarthWildlifeYour Environment Update

A man and woman stand together in front plants, near windows in their house.

Could ‘Solar For All’ be doomed in Pennsylvania?

Julie GrantFebruary 21, 2025

A federal program to provide solar panels for lower-income families is in jeopardy in Pennsylvania, and it's not because of Trump’s funding freeze.

Climate ChangeEnergyEnvironmental JusticePoliticsTrump on Earth

Gov. Shapiro sues over ‘flagrantly lawless’ halt in federal funds committed to Pennsylvania

Julie GrantFebruary 17, 2025

The Trump administration's funding freeze jeopardizes nearly $2.2 billion for environmental and climate programs committed to Pennsylvania.

Climate ChangePoliticsTrump on Earth

Full Episodes

Episode for March 21, 2025

Episode for March 14, 2025

Episode for March 7, 2025

Trump on Earth

Federal money to plug Pa.’s dangerous wells is unfrozen, but uncertainty plagues contractors

EPA pulls permit from New Jersey offshore wind project

Raystown Lake cancels campground reservations amid federal job cuts and hiring freezes

Trump on Earth

Federal money to plug Pa.’s dangerous wells is unfrozen, but uncertainty plagues contractors

EPA pulls permit from New Jersey offshore wind project

Raystown Lake cancels campground reservations amid federal job cuts and hiring freezes

‘Cartoon villainy’: Former regulators say EPA’s planned rollbacks would reverse 50 years of environmental progress

Solar power supporters in Pa. say outlook is positive, even as policies could change under Trump

Pennsylvania farm group faces layoffs amid federal funding freeze

Trump’s federal funding freeze brought some abandoned mine cleanup in Pennsylvania to a standstill

Conservationists raise alarm over federal employee firings

Could ‘Solar For All’ be doomed in Pennsylvania?

Gov. Shapiro sues over ‘flagrantly lawless’ halt in federal funds committed to Pennsylvania