PennFuture Blog

Our Perspectives on the Latest Issues

Energy

Maine’s Innovative Response to Plastics Pollution and What the Rest of Us Can Learn From it

by John Ukenye, Policy Analyst
Something must be done to tackle our plastic waste problem in the U.S., and states like Maine might be leading the way and teaching us all a thing or two about finally solving this issue. Read more

What comes next for plastic bags in Pennsylvania?

by Jessica O'Neill, Senior Attorney
July began with the expiration of a statewide restriction on banning the use of plastic bags. Read more

New Report Details the Use of “Forever Chemicals” in Fracking Operations Despite Serious Concerns to Public Health

by Austin Grace, Legal Intern
The impacts to our communities from fracking are obvious, but the inclusion of PFAS in the mix is even worse than we thought. Read more

Supreme Court Ruled Natural Gas Companies Can Condemn State-Owned Land

by Emily Rollins, Legal Intern
The U.S. Supreme Court recently dealt a severe blow in an ongoing fight to prevent PennEast, a private natural gas company, from building a 116 mile natural gas pipeline from the Marcellus Shale region in Pennsylvania into New Jersey. Read more

More than Skin-Deep: Environmental Racism, Justice, and Pennsylvania

by John Ukenye, Policy Analyst
It is clear that people of minority groups are facing the brunt of environmental degradation at a harsher rate than other groups, and this is true in Pennsylvania too. Read more

Introducing PennFuture's Legal Interns

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

Will Pennsylvania’s Environment Ever Be A Priority for the Legislature?

by Jacquelyn Bonomo, PennFuture President and CEO
The state budget that PennFuture so optimistically saw as a chance for lawmakers and the Governor to invest in a greener future, fell far short of making those investments, and the support for clean water we were hoping to see never materialized. Read more

The Chesapeake Bay is Improving, but Still a Long Road to 2025

by Renee Reber, Campaign Manager, Watershed Advocacy
This week, the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science gave the Chesapeake Bay a C in their latest report card. This is an improvement from last year’s grade of C-. Read more

Federal Court Dismissed Lawsuit Challenging DRBC’s Ban on Fracking

by Abigail M. Jones, Vice President of Legal and Policy
On June 11, a federal court dismissed a lawsuit brought by Pennsylvania Republicans that challenged a fracking ban implemented by the Delaware River Basin Commission. Read more

Introduction: An Intersectional Approach to Fighting the Petrochemical Buildout in Pennsylvania

by John Ukenye, Policy Analyst
The environmental realm is one that reaches all Pennsylvanians, and sits at the center of all other issues every person in the state faces. Read more

The Plastics Problem: More False Strategies: Statewide Preemption

by Jessica O'Neill, Senior Attorney
When it comes to the problem of plastics, we need real solutions, not roadblocks. Read more

Coal-Fired Power Plant to Close Because of Market Conditions, Not Environmental Regulations

by Rob Altenburg, Senior Director for Energy and Climate
Any time a fossil fuel plant retires, polluters and their backers almost always blame environmental rules. Don't be fooled. Read more

The Plastics Problem: Identifying False Solutions, Part 1

by Sarah Bennett, Campaign Manager for Clean Water Advocacy
The solution to the plastic crisis is not simple, but it is clear - reducing plastic production and use is the only way to definitively keep plastic out of the environment and our bodies. Read more

What Comes Next in Pennsylvania's Efforts to Join RGGI?

by Rob Altenburg, Senior Director for Energy and Climate
We are 19 months into a process expected to take about 24 months total. Read more

Regulatory Reforms Would Roll Back Environmental and Health Protections

by Ezra P. Thrush, Senior Director of Government Affairs
Pennsylvania’s legislators appear eager to overhaul how the Commonwealth reviews and implements state law. Read more

Electric Mobility Legislation Could Supercharge EV Infrastructure

by Ezra P. Thrush, Senior Director of Government Affairs
The Clean Transportation Infrastructure Act will require that the state’s electric utilities develop comprehensive strategies to expand accessibility and to improve affordability of vehicle charging infrastructure. Read more

Legislators Continue to Stand in the Way of Climate Action

by Ezra P. Thrush, Senior Director of Government Affairs
SB 119 not only reflects a lack of desire among the Legislature to lead on climate progress. It reflects a failure to listen to voters across the state. Read more

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