PennFuture Blog

Our Perspectives on the Latest Issues

Climate

A Breath of Fresh Air: How Will the Biden Administration Fight Carbon Pollution?

by Rob Altenburg, Senior Director for Energy and Climate
Even though federal action is likely on the way, Pennsylvania can and should move forward with its own proposed CO2 Cap and Invest program without delay. Read more

Fracking Banned in Delaware River Basin

by Jessica O'Neill, Senior Attorney
On Feb. 25, the Delaware River Basin Commission banned fracking in the basin, a move widely celebrated by those who cherish clean water and environmental protections. Read more

A Breath of Fresh Air: Reason for Optimism for Lake Erie

by Sarah Bennett, Campaign Manager for Clean Water Advocacy
Great Lakes communities have reason for optimism under the new Biden administration. Read more

PennFuture joins with the Philadelphia Coalition for Affordable Communities

by Lena Smith
PennFuture is proud to stand among the members of this new coalition in seeking community-led solutions to Philadelphia’s affordability and land justice challenges. Read more

A Breath of Fresh Air

by Jared Stonesifer, Director of Media Relations
President Biden's administration is a breath of fresh air, but time will tell as to its true impact on the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the climate we all rely on for survival. Read more

In the Midst of a Democracy Emergency

by Jacquelyn Bonomo, PennFuture President and CEO, Matthew Stepp, Vice President and Chief of Staff, PennFuture
While PennFuture remains a beacon for environmental leadership and protection in Pennsylvania, we would not be true to our mission if we didn’t stand up and emphatically oppose efforts to undercut the democracy we require to ensure clean air, clean water and abundant green spaces. Read more

The Growing Danger of Pipelines Our Safety Regulations Overlook

by Emily Persico, Policy Analyst
Regulating gathering pipelines is not the only action necessary to modernize our outdated pipeline safety regulations, but it’s an important first step. Read more

Recycling is Exacerbating the Plastic Waste Crisis

by Emily Persico, Policy Analyst
Advanced recycling builds upon a decades-long crusade by the oil and gas industry to undermine the effectiveness of recycling. Read more

2019-2020 Legislative Wrap-Up & 2021 Preview: Where Does the PA General Assembly Stand on Our Environment?

by Ezra P. Thrush, Senior Director of Government Affairs
While advancing proactive, offensive, good environmental legislation remains a challenge in Harrisburg, PennFuture and partners killed, blocked, and bottled-up a host of anti-environmental and pro-fossil fuel bills and policies in the recent previous legislative session. Read more

PennFuture Releases Blueprint to Protect Pennsylvania's Lake Erie Watershed

by Sarah Bennett, Campaign Manager for Clean Water Advocacy
On Dec. 3, PennFuture and 12 partner organizations released a 50-page document aimed at protecting Pennsylvania's Lake Erie watershed for decades to come. Read more

Building the United States' Green Economy Future through Appalachia

by Jacquelyn Bonomo, PennFuture President and CEO
Our climate justice and clean energy future must begin here in Appalachia, whose people, land and water have paid a dear price for powering the nation and world for almost two hundred years. Read more

PA General Assembly Wraps Up Annual Budget, Punts on Stimulus

by Ezra P. Thrush, Senior Director of Government Affairs
Last week, the Pennsylvania General Assembly hammered out the final pieces of this year’s state budget, which began in late May when the Legislature passed a five-month stopgap budget package. Read more

Confronting Reality: Pennsylvania Leaders Refuse to Acknowledge State of Petrochemical Industry

by Emily Persico, Policy Analyst
Even Texas is willing to admit something that many Pennsylvania leaders continue to deny: the shale gas and petrochemical industry is dying. Read more

Setting the Record Straight About Fracking in Pennsylvania

by Emily Persico, Policy Analyst
With so much media attention dedicated to it, it should come as no surprise that some basic facts about fracking have been misrepresented, misconstrued or, in same cases, completely fabricated. Read more

Toxic Fracking Waste Becomes Mounting Problem for Downstream Communities

by Abigail M. Jones, Vice President of Legal and Policy
We know the dangers of fracking operations, but what many might not realize is that the fracking industry is allowed to dispose of its wastes in landfills across Pennsylvania. Read more

How a Clean Water Program is Addressing Equity in Philadelphia

by Lena Smith
Whether it’s the COVID-19 public health crisis, structural racism, economic downturn, or gun violence, one action can offer real solutions to them all: investing in green space. Read more

Fossil Fuel Polluters and Friends Ramp Up New Attack on Solar Energy in Pa.

by Rob Altenburg, Senior Director for Energy and Climate
Rep. Chris Dush, one of the most notorious climate deniers in the state House of Representatives, is leading a new assault on solar energy in Pa. Read more

Trump's Energy Secretary Denies Human-Made Climate Change, Promotes Petrochemicals During Beaver County Visit

by Emily Persico, Policy Analyst
Last week, Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette came to Beaver County and promoted a bleak vision for the future that includes a reliance on petrochemicals and fossil fuels at the expense of renewable energy. Read more

Despite roadblocks from Legislature, RGGI rulemaking process advances

by Rob Altenburg, Senior Director for Energy and Climate
On Sept. 15, the Environmental Quality Board advanced for public comment Pennsylvania's cap-and-invest carbon reduction rule. Read more

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