Pennsylvania's Environmental Rights Amendment
Our Victories
Significant Milestones
During our 25-year history, PennFuture achieved significant victories for clean air, clean water, and renewable energy across Pennsylvania.
Some of our biggest victories include:
Clean Air
- Legal action against U.S. Steel's Clairton Coke Works for violations of the Clean Air Act. In 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency sided with PennFuture and its partners by rejecting the Allegheny County Health Department's air quality permit since it did not require monitoring and air testing as required by the Clean Air Act.
- After years of litigation against dirty fossil fuel power plants, PennFuture was instrumental in having Invenergy abandon plans in Elizabeth Township with weak pollution controls and Bechtel Corporation abandon plans for a plant with illegal sulfur dioxide and volatile organic compounds limits near an environmental justice community in Renovo .
Protecting Water Quality
- PennFuture and Brodhead Watershed Association (BWA) secured a litigation settlement in 2023 from a grid-scale solar energy project in Pocono Township that forces the project to protect the water quality of Swiftwater Creek.
The Fight Against Carbon Emissions
- PennFuture experts were the first to raise alarm over the emissions dangers of cryptocurrency mining . PennFuture and partners continue to urge the DEP to prevent the burning of tires to fuel crypto mining operations in Carbon County.
Advocating for Communities
- PennFuture's Legal Team published the Model Municipal Ordinance & Guidebook in 2023 to help municipalities better manage the influx of large “warehouses” (logistics centers and truck terminals) moving into areas such as Lehigh Valley and the Poconos. In December 2023, Palmer Township adopted PennFuture's model ordinance.
- PennFuture helped pass Act 129 to require utilities to implement robust energy conservation programs, saving electric consumers billions of dollars.
- PennFuture advocated for the passing of the Alternative Energy Investment Act, a $650 million energy fund that includes $180 million for solar.
- Leading the campaigns for Growing Greener and the second, $625 million Growing Greener II bond initiative in Pennsylvania, creating financial support for environmental programs.
