Policy
We are champions for local, state and national public policies that protect and expand our environmental resources.
Pennsylvania has a long and storied history of polluting industries with deep pockets and powerful political influence making harmful and lasting changes to our water, air, and landscapes that future generations must pay to fix. Pennsylvania faces significant challenges that grow every year as oil and gas infrastructure expands, our waters become more polluted, and climate change becomes more severe. It’s important now more than ever to defend against renewed efforts to weaken our environmental protections.
Reliability Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS) This program would require Pennsylvania to get 35% of its energy from clean energy sources such as solar, wind, and small modular nuclear reactors.
Legislation
During an average two-year legislative session, the Pennsylvania General Assembly produces between 3000-4000 pieces of legislation. Of those, as many as 10 percent hold the potential to impact Pennsylvania’s environment. PennFuture tracks each of these bills, engaging with stakeholders and legislators to advance those that benefit the Commonwealth’s environment or defeat those that aim to damage it.
The bills listed below are those of the highest priority for PennFuture
Archived items are not available at this time.
Archived items are not available at this time.
Regulation
Environmental regulation is a critical tool for reducing or eliminating environmental harm due to commercial and industrial activity. Pennsylvania’s existing regulations make up the foundation of environmental protection for our air, hundreds of thousands of acres of land, and miles of waterways. Yet, new pollution challenges often require new regulations to ensure public safety, health, and sustainability.
The regulations listed below are of the highest priority for PennFuture.
Archived items are not available at this time.
Archived items are not available at this time.
Take Action
Support PennFuture's Work
PennFuture is the leading environmental voice in Harrisburg, advocating for strong environmental protections and defending against policy rollbacks.
We need your help. Please support our work.
-
Clean Energy
Pennsylvania already employs over 65,000 clean energy jobs. It’s poised to become a leader in the manufacture and installation of clean energy, but it requires state policy leadership rather than protective subsidies for fossil fuels.
-
Water Pollution
Pennsylvania is home to thousands of miles of waterways too polluted to swim in or fish. Yet the Commonwealth continues to underinvest in programs to address water pollution and cleanup projects.
-
Public Lands
Pennsylvania is home to one of the largest state park systems in the US – 121 parks and 283,000 acres of diverse wildlife and scenic beauty. This natural resource is under constant threat, whether from gas companies wanting to drill or from legislators wanting to open the land to commercial development.
Policy Resources
Expect higher electric bills this summer -- by as much as 20%: Opinion
Published in PennLive (Patriot-News) on March 27, 2025 Learn More
PennFuture slams federal plan to increase toxic air pollution
This “presidential pass” to pollute will increase dangerous pollutants such as mercury and arsenic into Pennsylvania communities. Learn More
Governor Shapiro and General Assembly Must Urgently Address the Crisis Following LIHEAP Firings
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) program is a lifeline for people struggling with soaring energy costs. Learn More
Pennsylvania and EPA Deregulation: How the Commonwealth can protect its environment
Environmental deregulation will do nothing to improve the day-to-day lives of Pennsylvanians. Learn More
Maximize Roof Space for Clean Energy: Pennsylvania Can Benefit from Solar-Ready Warehouses
Two new bills aim to have large-scale warehouses and distribution centers be constructed to accommodate solar installations. Learn More
FERC Makes a Bad Call Moving Gas Plants Ahead of the Line
FERC approved PJM Interconnection's proposal to "fast-track" fracked gas plants. Learn More
PennFuture Supports Governor Shapiro's "Lightning Plan" to supercharge energy development
Governor Josh Shapiro announced an ambitious statewide energy plan that touches upon critical energy efficiency and renewable energy infrastructure. Learn More
PennFuture Joins Challenge to PJM to Protect Pennsylvanians' Energy Rates
Energy prices are high, but this summer, they are expected to surge even higher, to the tune of billions of dollars that will be borne by Pennsylvanians. Learn More
We Need Swift Action on PJM’s Flawed Market Designed to Boost Fossil Fuels or PA Should Withdrawal From PJM
PennFuture strongly supports Governor Shapiro's formal warning to PJM Interconnection Learn More
A Bipartisan Farm Bill Ensuring Lasting and Sustainable Support for Pennsylvania Farms
PennFuture and Conservation Voters of PA joint statement on federal Farm Bill reauthorization. Learn More
Don't fall for smoke and mirrors, recycling won't solve our plastics problem
Op-Ed published in Erie Times-News Learn More
GOOD NEWS! Attempts to block EPA Carbon Rule fail. (for now)
The Supreme Court rejected requests to stop the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s crucial carbon pollution standards for power plants. Learn More
PA Lawmakers want to hold solar energy development to a higher standard than dirty fossil fuels, distribution centers, and pipelines
Senate Bill 211 solar bonding, decommissioning passed out of House Environmental Resources & Energy Committee Learn More
Pennsylvania Fossil Fuel Company’s Study is Missing Key Measurements for Pollution
We are greatly concerned with CNX’s Radical Overstatement (no trademark) regarding their fracking operations in Pennsylvania. Learn More
PennFuture Statement on 2024-2025 State Budget
The new budget reveals a number of forward-looking environmental initiatives. Learn More
PennFuture's Statement on SCOTUS Overruling Chevron Doctrine
The U.S. Supreme Court Overrules Chevron Doctrine endangering countless regulations. Learn More
Pennfuture Unveils Policy Recommendations for the Pennsylvania Department Of Community And Economic Development — aiming to redirect Pennsylvania's financial resources from fossil fuels towards decarbonization and economic diversification
Recommendations on reforming the DCED and Team PA to effectively support EJ communities, labor, and lead the clean industrial revolution. Learn More
PennFuture & CVPA's Statement on the Farm Bill Proposals
On May 17, 2024, the chairs of the House Committee on Agriculture and Senate Committee on Agriculture released contrasting 2024 Farm Bill proposals. Learn More
PACER and PRESS Legislation Shows Promise of a Cleaner Energy Future; PennFuture Looks Ahead at Strengthening Policies
PennFuture remains dedicated to supporting a bold plan for Pennsylvania to reduce harmful and climate-altering emissions in its energy sector. Learn More
Pennsylvania’s Watersheds Representatives List Top 5 Water Priorities for State Legislators in 2024
Watershed coalitions educate state legislators about five key clean water policies during Clean Water Education Day. Learn More
Land Use Is an Environmental Issue: PennFuture Publishes A New Guide to Help Pennsylvania Residents Understand and Effectively Participate in Land Use Decision-Making
In Pennsylvania, the power to govern land use and development resides almost entirely at the local level. Residents have power to influence these decisions. Learn More
Erie Environmental Groups Collaborate on “All Flows Lead to Lake Erie” Stormwater Series
A dozen nonprofit, agency, and municipal environmental experts team up this year to tackle the greatest threat to our Lake Erie Watershed: stormwater runoff. Learn More
PennFuture celebrates another step forward in cleaning up the transportation sector with EPA’s finalization of Light-Duty Vehicle Standards
The EPA finalized new pollution standards for cars and trucks, which will be vital to cutting pollution and improving U.S. air quality. Learn More
PennFuture’s Statement on Governor Shapiro’s Energy Proposals
Governor Josh Shapiro announced on March 13, 2024 two new energy plans for Pennsylvania. Learn More
Pennsylvania Needs a Sustainable, Inclusive Economic Development Plan
Over one hundred businesses, organizations, advocates, and elected officials signed a letter to the Governor expressing concern over his "Gets It Done" plan. Learn More
Letter: Clean Streams Funding 2023-2024
PennFuture opposes House Bill 1300 as currently written, which proposes to transfer $150 million in funding from the PA Game Commission to Clean Streams Fund. Learn More
How to Protect PA Communities and Environment from Distribution Center Development
PennFuture releases a model logistics-use zoning ordinance for Pennsylvania Municipalities to help manage the influx of large distribution centers. Learn More
Empowering Voices: The Vital Role of Civic Engagement in Protecting Our Environment
How every vote shapes our democracy and ensures a sustainable future. Learn More
Kidder Township Adopts PennFuture Model Logistics Ordinance Over Objections of Distribution Center Developer
Through the advocacy of LOVE Kidder Township and Save Carbon County, PennFuture’s model logistics use ordinance and guidebook became the blueprint for Kidder Township’s reconsideration of its zoning ordinance. Learn More
Shifting the Paradigm for a Sustainable Pennsylvania Economy
Climate change is the greatest existential threat to humanity and the worst market failure of our time. Learn More
How Recent US Supreme Court Decisions Harm Environmental Protection
There are several Supreme Court decisions that continue to dismantle the power of administrative agencies and open the door to new challenges of settled laws. Learn More
PA and a Post “Chevron” World
The history and context of the Chevron decision, explain the Loper Bright decision, and look at what this major change in the law means for environmental and human health protections in Pennsylvania. Learn More
The Unspoken Truth: Economic Policy is Environmental Policy
Economic development can bring massive benefits to our communities, but it also brings other consequences that must be considered. Learn More
Navigating Pennsylvania's Clean Water Priorities: Championing a Statewide Water Legislative Agenda
The state budget process provides space for bipartisan cooperation to achieve the goals of protecting and restoring Pennsylvania’s abundant waterways. Learn More
Public Participation, Public Power: PennFuture’s Community Land Use Process Guidebook
The guide is designed to give Pennsylvanian residents the knowledge and tools they need to understand and effectively participate in local land use decision-making processes. Learn More
Zoning, Not Popular Vote, Should Determine 'Warehouse' Development
A proposed bill in the Pennsylvania legislature attempts to manage the proliferation of logistics facilities by voter referendum. Learn More
Riparian Buffers: a Natural, Inexpensive, and Crucial Way to Protect and Improve Water Quality
An explanation on Riparian Buffers and their benefits to PA’s waters and communities. Learn More
Logistics Facilities are Coming. Is Your Municipality Ready?: PennFuture Releases Model Logistics Use Ordinance and Guidebook
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. Learn More
A Look at the 2018 Draft Integrated Water Quality Report
Pennsylvania is a water rich state with approximately 86,000 stream miles connecting more than 700,000 acres of lakes, bays, and wetlands. Protecting and monitoring such a high volume of the Commonwealth's waterways is a challenging but necessary task. Learn More
PennFuture Submits Comments Opposing the Dirty Water Rule, Engages More Than 1,400 Citizens to Do the Same
On Monday, April 15, PennFuture submitted public comments opposing the Trump Administration’s proposed revised definition of “waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act. Learn More
New Definition of “Waters of the United States” Threatens Clean Water Act Protections
On February 14, 2019, the federal agencies tasked with regulating our nation’s waters under the Clean Water Act – the US Environmental Protection Agency and US Army Corps of Engineers – issued a new definition of “waters of the United States,” which will dramatically limit the protections of the Cle Learn More
Comments and Expert Testimony
We also provide comments and expert testimony before the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC), legislative committees, or other venues as appropriate.
Take Action: Become a Member
PennFuture depends on your support to enable us to fight on each of these fronts. Your tax-deductible membership provides real benefits.