PennFuture Blog

Our Perspectives on the Latest Issues

Environment

PennFuture Appeals Zoning Approval of Commercial Development in EV Watershed

by Brigitte Meyer, Staff Attorney
PennFuture files a notice of land use appeal for Hawthorne Resort in the Monroe County. Read more

PennFuture’s Fall 2023 Legal Interns

by Abigail M. Jones, Vice President of Legal and Policy
Introducing PennFuture's Legal Interns for Fall 2023 Read more

Logistics Facilities are Coming. Is Your Municipality Ready?: PennFuture Releases Model Logistics Use Ordinance and Guidebook

by Brigitte Meyer, Staff Attorney
Municipalities cannot ignore this new pattern of development and cannot ban distribution and fulfillment centers from within their borders. They must proactively plan for when distribution and fulfillment centers come to town by adopting updated zoning ordinances. Read more

PennFuture’s New Legal Interns Summer 2023

by Abigail M. Jones, Vice President of Legal and Policy
This summer, we have three fantastic students for our internship, representing a range of backgrounds and experiences. Read more

Swiftwater Solar Settlement: A win for all in the Poconos

by Emma Bast, Staff Attorney
PennFuture and Brodhead Watershed Association (BWA) announce a settlement reached with the developer of the Swiftwater Solar project and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that protects the water quality of Exceptional Value Swiftwater Creek. Read more

2023 State of the Air: Pennsylvania Cities Rank Among Most Polluted

by Angela Kilbert, Staff Attorney
New Report Shows Air Quality in Pennsylvania Cities Continue to Rank Among Most Polluted in the U.S. Read more

West Chester stormwater case: how ordinance language can harm PA’s pollution control

by Malisa Dang, Legal Intern
Court's ruling on stormwater charge generated controversy among other municipalities with similar stormwater ordinances and tax-exempted entities. Read more

Philly Spill Scare: This Is Why We Fight

by Emma Bast, Staff Attorney
We dodged the worst this time, but this could happen again. Industry and other polluters are not going to keep us safe simply out of the goodness of their hearts, which is why we need to fight for stronger regulations. Read more

Why PennFuture, Partners Petitioned EPA to Object to U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works Title V Operating Permit

by Angela Kilbert, Staff Attorney
The renewed air permit for U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works fails to include the monitoring and testing requirements needed to ensure the facility actually complies with its permit limits. Read more

Environmental Disaster from East Palestine, OH Train Derailment

by Leigh Martinez, Communications Director
Shocking in its scale and potential effects, the disaster's long-term health and environmental impacts may not be known for months or even years Read more

Introducing PennFuture’s New Legal & Policy Interns!

by Abigail M. Jones, Vice President of Legal and Policy
This spring, we have two fantastic students for our internship, representing a range of backgrounds and experiences Read more

PennFuture and Partners Convince EPA to Upgrade Delaware River Water Quality Standards

by Jessica O'Neill, Senior Attorney
On December 1, the EPA took the rare step and granted our petition! Read more

Distribution Centers Bring into Focus Limitations of Local Zoning Laws

Tobyhanna Creek
by Donna Kohut, Campaign Manager
A recent decision made by local officials in Monroe County demonstrates how paying close attention to zoning ordinances can help overturn ill-advised warehouse projects. Read more

Erie’s Stormwater Fee Program Becomes Reality

by Jenny Tompkins, Campaign Manager for Clean Water Advocacy
Erie City Council passed a much-anticipated stormwater user fee. Read more

The Clean Water Act’s 50-Year Impact on Pennsylvania

by Abigail M. Jones, Vice President of Legal and Policy
Despite the Clean Water Act's protections, Pennsylvania still struggles to restore our impaired waterways Read more

Upholding the True Meaning of Pennsylvania’s Environmental Rights Amendment

by Jessica O'Neill, Senior Attorney
U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit recently handed down a decision upholding the ban on fracking in the Delaware River basin, the latest in a series of legal disputes over the state’s constitutional protections for the Delaware River — and all waterways throughout the Commonwealth. Read more

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