Delaware River Basin

From the exceptional creeks and streams of the Pocono Mountains region down to the tidal estuary of the Delaware Bay, PennFuture advances efforts to restore and maintain our precious Delaware River Basin.

The source of drinking water for 13 million people, the Delaware River is relied upon as a clean water resource. Fifty years ago, the water quality we enjoy today was nearly unimaginable. Polluters recklessly dumped raw sewage and chemicals straight into the river, making it nearly impossible to sustain even the most basic forms of aquatic life.

Progress remains fragile. Decades of progress are at risk due to ongoing land development and other activities that expand wastewater discharge.

We recognize further improvements are still possible. PennFuture is co-leading a Delaware River Basin Commission use-designation petition to upgrade a portion of the lower Delaware River, reflecting community use of the river that now includes primary contact recreation sports.

Our legal team and community organizers lead a variety of campaigns to defend the Delaware against illegal polluters and from efforts to undermine legal protections.

  • Our Pocono Waters is a PennFuture-affiliated coalition of businesses and conservationists advocating for Exceptional Value protection of the Delaware River headwaters.
  • Keep Philly Green & Water Clean is a campaign that advocates wider adoption of innovative infrastructure that minimizes the spread of polluting bacteria, helps communities adapt to the dangers of climate change, and expands the benefits of nature-based solutions to disadvantaged communities.
  • Stream Redesignation is an important tool for watershed groups to protect and maintain local stream quality. PennFuture published a handbook to guide the process of upgrading and upholding such protections.
  • Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed advocates for federal funding and comprehensive, watershed-wide planning. PennFuture holds the state lead seat for the four-state coalition, guiding efforts to protect and restore the Delaware River, its tributaries, and distinctive landscapes in the watershed.

Pennsylvania’s clean energy workforce grew 10% from 2017-2020, 5x faster than state’s employment growth rate

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Cleaner environment, family-sustaining jobs.

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the clean energy economy employed more than twice as many workers as the state’s entire fossil fuel industry. 

More than 75,000 Pennsylvania jobs are tied to clean energy. The industry’s job growth is five times faster than the state’s overall employment growth rate.

Rapidly transitioning to renewable energy would meanwhile help us avoid the most serious consequences of climate change. Phasing out coal and gas-fired power plants would improve air quality, disproportionately benefiting people of color and low-income communities. 

Outdated renewable energy policies

Modest goals and meager financial incentives are holding back our potential. 

Pennsylvania requires 18 percent of electricity production come from “alternative energy sources.” Several non-renewable electricity sources, many from outside the state, unfortunately count toward this goal. 

The state’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard credits electricity producers as diverse as wood-powered biomass, municipal solid waste and landfill gas facilities. 

More than any other source, the state program rewards combustion of toxic coal mining waste.

Solar generators receiving credits are mostly located outside the state. Solar produced in Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia accounted for 65% of the 2019 total.

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Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard requires a meager 0.5% of electricity supply come from solar PV systems

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PennFuture’s renewable energy agenda.

  • Advance a cap-and-invest program compatible with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). 
  • Enable community solar, allowing residents and businesses to access solar power even if the infrastructure is not compatible on their own property.
  • Amend the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act to incentivize local, grid-scale solar.
  • Re-capitalize the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority and increase borrowing authority of the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program to fund energy efficiency retrofits.
  • Expand funding for DEP’s Small Business Advantage program, the Small Business Pollution Prevention Assistance Account, and DCED’s Weatherization Assistance Program.