PennFuture Blog

Our Perspectives on the Latest Issues

Featured Blog:

The Delaware River has a pollution problem, and PWD can’t scare it into going away

by Emma Bast, Staff Attorney, Jessica O'Neill, Senior Attorney
By telling Philadelphians that they can’t have a healthy river without a “big spike” in their water bills, the Philadelphia Water Department is unnecessarily pitting Philadelphians against their own 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

How RGGI Can Help PA Meet EPA’s New Carbon Emission Reduction Standards

by Lindsay Williamson
Power plants account for at least 25 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere, which is nearly twice as much as homes and small business contributions combined. Read more

Renaming Erie’s “Summer of Soot and Sewage” to the Summer of Community Climate Solutions

by Jenny Tompkins, Campaign Manager for Clean Water Advocacy
Reflecting on Erie’s summer, I want to highlight four community activist-led efforts that provide hope and inspiration about our ability to affect change. Based on the examples set by these community advocates, I propose we rename this recent season to the “Summer of Community Climate Solutions.” 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

The State of Solar Development in PA: Solar Energy Benefits Remain Unrealized

by Rob Altenburg, Senior Director for Energy and Climate
Setting the record straight on commonly held myths about solar and recommendations to overcome the largest obstacles to solar energy adoption. Read more

How Humans are Breaking the Jet Stream and Changing the Weather

by Matthew Stepp, Vice President and Chief of Staff, PennFuture
A dive into what’s causing these unusual weather events points to something more insidious: humans are breaking the Earth’s jet streams. 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

The Carbon Rule

by Rob Altenburg, Senior Director for Energy and Climate
While meaningful federal action to address the growing climate crisis is long overdue, it’s also critical that whatever path we take, we do things right. There are better choices than using carbon capture and storage (CCS). 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

Updated Zoning Ordinances Are Vital to Addressing the Impacts of Today’s Logistics Industry

by Brigitte Meyer, Staff Attorney
One of the most significant changes impacting land use in Pennsylvania today is the rise of e-commerce and the massive logistics facilities that support it. 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

Why Go Solar?

by Caroline Weiss, Legal intern
Across Pennsylvania, interest is growing in rooftop solar panels for environmental and economic reasons. 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

Misguided Homeowner Association Restrictions Block Pennsylvania’s Solar Potential

HOAs all too often prohibit installation of solar panels on homeowners’ rooftops Read more

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