The Allegheny Front

Despite court order, black lung screening program still not fully functional There are no funds to operate a mobile X-ray unit and the agency is missing contract workers to read chest X-rays.

Despite, a court order to resume the work of the Black Lung Screening Program at NIOSH, there are no funds to operate the mobile x-ray unit and no contractors to read chest x-rays. www.alleghenyfront.org/niosh-black-...

Pennsylvania researchers see tick population and related diseases ticking up Pennsylvania’s Tick Research Lab says it is tracking significantly more ticks this spring. The lab tests ticks for pathogens free of charge.

Pennsylvania’s Tick Research Lab says it is tracking significantly more ticks this spring. The lab tests ticks for pathogens free of charge. The state is also seeing a seasonal uptick in Lyme disease cases. www.alleghenyfront.org/pennsylvania...

Explosion, smoke reported at Shell plant in Beaver County DEP said benzene and another hazardous air pollutant could have been released during an explosion at Shell’s ethane cracker in Beaver County on Wednesday.

DEP said benzene and another hazardous air pollutant could have been released during an explosion at Shell’s ethane cracker Wednesday afternoon. Shell is expected to calculate the amount of these emissions, if any, and report its findings to the agency. www.alleghenyfront.org/shell-beaver...

Pittsburgh’s parks improve access, creep higher in national ranking The report shows that 94% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park with public access. One area of improvement was equitable access to parks.

Pittsburgh ranked 15th among cities for its parks, up from 17th last year. The Trust for Public Land, report shows that 94% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a Pittsburgh city park with public access. Investments are up too. www.alleghenyfront.org/pittsburghs-...

Musician helps farmers open up with 'Empty Barn' song A former Pennsylvania dairy farmer takes his guitar on the road to address the mental health crisis in rural communities.

A former Pennsylvania dairy farmer takes his guitar on the road to address the mental health crisis in rural communities. www.alleghenyfront.org/mental-healt...

A former gravel mine in Erie County gets a second chance as forestland The 100-acre site in Erie County is being reforested through a partnership between the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and the nonprofit Bosland Growth.

The reforesting of an old gravel mine at Lake Pleasant in Erie County is part of an effort to restore hundreds of acres of mine land across the region. www.alleghenyfront.org/erie-pennsyl...

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy opens accessible trail and discovery space in Frick Park With its new trail and discovery space in Frick Park, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy aims to create an inclusive outdoor experience.

With its new trail and discovery space in Frick Park, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy aims to create an inclusive outdoor experience. www.alleghenyfront.org/pittsburgh-p...

Landforce and its partners planned to expand their workforce development efforts in landscaping and upcycling wood waste. Now their funding is gone.
www.alleghenyfront.org/pittsburgh-l...

Trump’s 2-year reprieve gives coal plants 'a free pass to pollute' A former EPA official warns exemption for some coal-fired power plants could be the first step toward gutting pollution rules for all plants.

A former EPA official warns exemption for some coal-fired power plants could be the first step toward gutting pollution rules for all plants. www.alleghenyfront.org/trump-coal-p...

Ohio opens more state land for fracking, then police officer physically prevents a reporter from asking questions A state commission approved fracking in one wildlife area and delayed action on thousands more acres. Then, police physically barred a reporter from asking questions.

An Ohio oil and gas commission approved new acreage for fracking in one wildlife area, and delayed action on thousands of additional acres. Then police physically prevented a reporter from talking with the commission chair. www.alleghenyfront.org/ohio-state-l...

Philly’s carbon emissions have dropped. Here’s what experts say should be next One of the many changes that drove Philly’s emissions reductions in 2022 was the electric grid’s shift from coal to natural gas.

Changes that drove Philly’s emissions reductions in 2022 include the electric grid’s shift from coal to natural gas, the pandemic and the closure of a refinery.
www.alleghenyfront.org/phillys-carb...

What amendments to the Endangered Species Act could mean for wildlife A bill before Congress seeks to make changes to the Endangered Species Act that environmentalists say would weaken its protections.

A bill before Congress seeks to make changes to the Endangered Species Act that environmentalists say would weaken its protections. We talk with Defenders of Wildlife on its implications for wildlife protections. www.alleghenyfront.org/amendments-e...

Renewables surpass coal on Mid-Atlantic electric grid The surge in renewable energy is driven by solar, which now generates nearly 14% of the energy on the regional grid that serves Pennsylvania.

The surge in renewables is driven by solar, which now generates nearly 14% of the energy on the regional grid that serves Pennsylvania. www.alleghenyfront.org/solar-renewa...

Could sustainable shopping get a boost as tariffs panic fast fashion brands? Thrifting proponents hope more people will turn to sustainable fashion as the trade war between the U.S. and China strains fast fashion.

Do you thrift for the best price or sustainability? www.alleghenyfront.org/could-sustai...

PA DEP OKs ‘Rustic Ridge’ coal mine expansion beneath PA Turnpike The company will mine metallurgical coal, but an environmental group worries the project will exacerbate mine drainage problems in the Laurel Highlands.

LCT Energy LP will mine metallurgical coal, but an environmental group worries the project will exacerbate longstanding mine drainage problems in the Laurel Highlands. www.alleghenyfront.org/pennsylvania...

From classroom to creek: students learn about trout by raising and releasing fish Through Pennsylvania Trout in the Classroom, teachers and students raise trout to learn about not only the life cycle, but also coldwater conservation.

Through Pennsylvania Trout in the Classroom, teachers and students raise trout to learn about not only the life cycle, but also coldwater conservation. www.alleghenyfront.org/pennsylvania...

American Lung Association gives Pittsburgh's air quality a failing grade The annual "State of the Air" report rated air quality in the Pittsburgh region 16th worst in the country.

The annual "State of the Air" report rated air quality in the Pittsburgh region 16th worst in the country.

www.alleghenyfront.org/american-lun...

Trump moves to quickly slash federal regulations, target state and corporate climate efforts President Trump ordered 400 federal agencies to scour for regulations to repeal, and to do so without public notice or comment.

President Trump ordered 400 federal agency heads to scour for regulations to repeal, and do so without public notice or comment. Can he do that? The Allegheny Front's Julie Grant talks with Jody Freeman of Harvard's Environmental and Energy Law Program. www.alleghenyfront.org/trump-climat...

Episode for April 18, 2025 President Trump signed an executive order giving coal power plants an extension on complying with new pollution standards. The Trump administration is looking to roll back many other climate and envir...

Don't miss our latest podcast episode that tackles the legality of Trump's attempt at mass deregulation, exemptions to mercury rules for coal plants, and a new invasive plant exhibit at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. www.alleghenyfront.org/episode-for-...

A trip down the Youghiogheny River through photos Writer, photographer Tim Palmer returns to a subject he knows well in his new book, "Watching the River Run: A Photographic Journey Down the Youghiogheny.

Writer and photographer Tim Palmer returns to a subject he knows well in his new book, "Watching the River Run: A Photographic Journey Down the Youghiogheny." www.alleghenyfront.org/youghiogheny...

Advocates, environmentalists split as Trump signs orders to bolster coal industry President Donald Trump signed four executive orders on Tuesday to reinvigorate the country’s coal mining industry.

President Donald Trump signed four executive orders on Tuesday to reinvigorate the country’s coal mining industry. Coal supporters and environmentalists weigh in. www.alleghenyfront.org/pennsylvania...

Amendment to PA Solar Bill Puts Industry on Edge A bill in the Pennsylvania legislature to accept millions of federal dollars for solar projects for low-income families has suddenly put the state’s solar industry on edge, because of an amendment the...

A bill in the Pennsylvania legislature to accept millions of federal dollars for solar projects for low-income families has suddenly put the state’s solar industry on edge, because of an amendment they worry will upend net-metering. www.alleghenyfront.org/amendment-to...

Largest natural gas power plant in the country, data center coming to former Homer City coal plant The 3,200-acre data center campus for artificial intelligence and other computing needs will be built on site of the former coal-fired plant.

A new 3,200-acre data center campus in Indiana County will be built for artificial intelligence and other computing needs that will be powered by the largest natural gas power plant in the country. www.alleghenyfront.org?p=17190&prev...

Trump's EPA head vowed to roll back dozens of regulations. What impact will that have on public health? Many of the rules were put in place to protect health and the environment. How will groups push back on the EPA's new deregulatory agenda?

EPA administrator Lee Zeldin recently announced the agency would be rolling back 31 environmental rules. He called it the “largest deregulatory announcement in U.S. history.” How ill that impact public health? www.alleghenyfront.org/trump-epa-ro...

Advice from a youth climate organizer An organizer of the upcoming Pittsburgh Youth for Climate Action Summit says it gives her hope to be involved with a group who cares about climate change.

An organizer of this weekend's Pittsburgh Youth for Climate Action Summit says it gives her hope to be involved with a group who cares about climate change. www.alleghenyfront.org/pittsburgh-y...

Farmers in Trump country were counting on clean energy grants. Then the government moved the goalposts. Thousands of farmers and small rural businesses remain in limbo as USDA demands grant rewrites favoring fossil fuels over renewables.

Thousands of farmers and small rural businesses remain in limbo as USDA demands grant rewrites favoring fossil fuels over renewables. In Pennsylvania, that's 428 grants totaling $70 million. www.alleghenyfront.org/trump-farm-c...

Gov. Shapiro demands USDA uphold contract with farmers and food banks Governor Josh Shapiro says Pennsylvania will appeal a decision by USDA to end a $13 million contract for the state’s farmers and food banks.

Governor Josh Shapiro says Pennsylvania will appeal a decision by USDA to end a $13 million contract for the state’s farmers and food banks. www.alleghenyfront.org/gov-shapiro-...

Report: Shell plant in Beaver County could be up for sale A few years ago, Pennsylvania gave Shell the largest tax credit in state history to build its massive petrochemical plant in Beaver County. The company may already be thinking about selling the ethane...

Will Shell sell? Here's the latest from the AF's Reid Frazier.
www.alleghenyfront.org/report-shell...

Pennsylvania takes first step to access low-income solar funds A bill allowing the Pa. Energy Development Authority to access $156 million for the federal Solar for All program passed a first-round vote in a House committee.

A bill to allow the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority to access $156 million it was awarded last year through the federal Solar for All program passed in a first-round vote in the House Energy Committee. www.alleghenyfront.org/pennsylvania...

A new tool helps Beaver County residents evaluate air quality Eyes on Air publishes real-time pollution data from five new air monitors placed in Beaver County, home to Shell's ethane cracker.

The Eyes on Air publishes real-time pollution data from five new air monitors placed throughout Beaver County. It's run by Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community. www.alleghenyfront.org/beaver-count...