How lawn care is causing extreme air pollution in Pa.

WDIYNovember 8, 2023

Leaf blowers, lawnmowers, and weed whackers don't just create a lot of noise — they also create significant amounts of air pollution.

HealthPollution

In Clairton, U.S. Steel debuts an all-electric locomotive, a first in North America

Reid FrazierOctober 31, 2023

The new locomotives will save 40 thousand gallons of diesel fuel a year and emit no CO2. 

Climate ChangePollutionTransportation

EPA rejects part of U.S. Steel’s air quality permit for the Clairton Coke Works

Julie GrantOctober 6, 2023

Environmental groups argued the permit doesn't have proper testing, monitoring and reporting requirements for several pollutants. EPA agreed.

Pollution

Pa. crypto plant wants to burn tires; environmental advocates ask regulator to say ‘no’

Rachel McDevittAugust 29, 2023

Stronghold Digital Mining wants to burn shredded tires at one of its waste coal plants. Environmental groups say air pollution would increase.

Pollution

A new investigation shows state regulators have struggled to keep up with pollution events at Shell’s petrochemical plant in Beaver County

Kara HolsoppleAugust 18, 2023

News outlet PublicSource reviewed hundreds of documents to build a timeline of malfunctions at the plant and found that "no one was really prepared for this on either side."

EnergyPollutionThe Coming Chemical BoomYour Environment Update

ER visits plummet after Shenango coke works on Neville Island closed

Reid FrazierAugust 3, 2023

In the years after the plant on Neville Island in Allegheny County closed in 2016, ER visits for cardiovascular disease dropped by 61 percent.

HealthPollution

$5M from Shell to be used to monitor air, educate community in wake of air quality violations

Glynis BoardJuly 28, 2023

The funds come from a settlement with Shell over air quality volitions at its Beaver County ethane cracker.

EnergyPollutionThe Coming Chemical Boom

When a Mon Valley Air Pollution Episode alert is issued, whose air is at risk?

Jillian ForstadtJuly 21, 2023

When a warning is in effect, industrial facilities in the Mon Valley must limit their activities, and residents, especially vulnerable ones, are discouraged from spending time outdoors.

HealthPollution

What you can do to protect yourself from wildfire smoke

Justin StewartJune 27, 2023

Wildfire smoke exacerbates the air quality and poses a significant risk for people with asthma. But there are some ways to stay safe.

HealthPollution

Residents rally against Shell plastics plant pollution in Beaver County

Reid FrazierJune 8, 2023

They want Shell to be held accountable for pollution from its ethane cracker, including for it to be shut down during air pollution events.

EnergyHealthPollutionThe Coming Chemical Boom