The Allegheny Front
The Allegheny Front
Subscribe
Every week, our 29-minute podcast brings you all the environmental news and stories to keep you in the know in Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania.
Available episodes
Newest first
Oldest first
23 mins ago
Episode for June 9, 2023
Beaver County residents protested Shell's ethane cracker because of recent air pollution violations. Meanwhile, officials met with residents in East Palestine, Ohio, to discuss the results of health surveys taken after the train derailment and fires there. But many people affected are still wondering where to get help for their symptoms. And we talk with a Penn State researcher about a UN treaty that could end global plastic pollution, maybe.
Plus, climate activists are looking to change the way investment firms do business. News about wildfire smoke, hurricane season, and the proposal by the Maryland National Guard to fly fighter jets just 100 feet off the ground in the Pennsylvania Wilds.
playlist_add
Jun 2, 2023
Episode for June 2, 2023
Some residents of the Mon Valley say money from an air pollution settlement with U.S. Steel isn't being spent on the public health and environmental projects it was supposed to fund. We'll also dig into state-led efforts to thwart ESG investment strategies that consider risks like climate change. And, teenagers who live in the shadow of a massive new petrochemical plant and nearby the East Palestine train derailment are becoming more aware of environmental threats.
News about climate change predictions for Philadelphia, an EPA fine for an Allegheny County polluter, federal funds for orphaned oil and gas wells, and an effort to reduce pollution to the Chesapeake Bay.
playlist_add
May 26, 2023
Episode for May 26, 2023
If you shine a black light on a southern flying squirrel, it glows pink. But why? We dive into the questions about biofluorescent animals. Plus, we'll hear about how researchers are using a program trained to identify bird species from hours of birdsong recorded in the forest. It's helping in forest and bird conservation. Plus, a $10 million fine for Shell for air pollution violations at its Beaver County ethane cracker and news about the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
playlist_add
May 19, 2023
Episode for May 19, 2023
After a coal-fired power plant closed, people gathered at a public performance to memorialize what it meant to the community. We were there. And, we talk with the director of The Incline about a seven-newsroom collaboration that examines air pollution and misinformation in southwestern Pennsylvania.
Plus, researchers are looking at how drinking water from private wells might increase the risk of illness among children. News about federal proposals to curb pollution from power plants and leaks from pipelines.
playlist_add
May 12, 2023
Episode for May 12, 2023
Shell's ethane cracker in Beaver County has gotten off to a rocky start, with excessive emissions, permit violations and reported odors. Now, some supporters are not questioning if Shell can be a good neighbor. And a new book looks at the opportunities and challenges of reducing our exposure to chemicals to reduce the risk of cancer. Plus, energy efficiency programs that are climate- and budget-friendly. The "Dirty Dozen" list of big climate polluters in Pennsylvania is out, and the Pittsburgh area is a big contributor.
playlist_add
May 5, 2023
Episode for May 5, 2023
At dusk in fields in Pennsylvania and throughout the Great Lakes region in springtime, an odd-looking bird takes to the sky for an elaborate, acrobatic display. We take you there.
Three months after the derailment, we look at how people in East Palestine are working through their anxiety with few mental health resources available. Also, a developer pulls the plug on a Clinton County power plant. And invasive spotted lanternfly eggs are hatching. How to take care of these pests, even the young ones.
playlist_add
Apr 28, 2023
Episode for April 28, 2023
EPA shared the good news with East Palestine residents: testing shows no soil contamination from the train derailment. But some residents say their own tests show they’re still being exposed to toxins. We’ll also hear from investors putting their money behind startups that help fight climate change.
Plus, a new study wants to find out if the aggressive, springtime behavior of a typically shy, forest-dwelling bird could be genetic. Also, why Pennsylvania may be seeing more displays of the northern lights in the coming years.
playlist_add
Apr 21, 2023
Episode for April 21, 2023
Thousands of tons of contaminated soil from the train derailment in East Palestine are going to an incinerator near the Pennsylvania border in East Liverpool, Ohio. Activists say it has a history of violating the Clean Air Act. We'll also hear why a conservation group named the Ohio River the second most endangered river in the country.
Plus, Senator Casey touts federal investment for cleaning up waterways polluted by coal mining pollution. A new map highlights renewable energy projects in all 67 Pennsylvania counties.
playlist_add
Apr 14, 2023
Episode for April 14, 2023
A decade ago, a train derailed in New Jersey, releasing vinyl chloride – the same chemical from the East Palestine disaster. Residents still have questions about long-term health impacts. Meanwhile, lawmakers and unions are pushing for stronger railroad safety regulations.
Plus, in Ohio, a new law was signed by the governor requiring state-owned land, like state parks, to be leased for gas drilling. Environmental groups are suing. We’ll also hear from the new Democratic chair of the Pa. House energy committee on his priorities.
playlist_add
Apr 7, 2023
Episode for April 7, 2023
We have the details about a tentative settlement between U.S.Steel and plaintiffs in a lawsuit over the 2018 fire at its coke works that knocked out pollution controls for three months. We also hear from the author of a new book about phosphorus, why humans have gone to great lengths to get it for farming, and how it is fueling harmful algal blooms in the Great Lakes. Plus, we meet critters that are using a new, springtime habitat in the Laurel Highlands. And the largest coal-fired power plant in Pennsylvania will be closed by July.
playlist_add
Mar 31, 2023
Episode for March 31, 2023
When the train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed in East Palestine, students there were weeks away from the opening night of their school musical. They decided the show must go on. We're there for the dress rehearsal. We'll also hear from the author of a new book about the 1948 air pollution disaster that made Donora, Pennsylvania famous. Plus, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is holding meetings to get feedback about bringing back the American marten to the state's forests. Plus news about U.S. Steel, and the budget for the PA DEP.
playlist_add
Mar 24, 2023
Episode for March 24, 2023
A former EPA administrator is calling the agency's response to the train derailment in East Palestine too weak. She says it's deferring too much to the state of Ohio. Questions are being asked about the cleanup and testing of the creeks polluted by the derailment. Some researchers say Ohio EPA isn't testing surface water for enough chemicals.
Also, trout season is nearly here, with opening day on April 1. We catch up with officials stocking a local lake with some of the 3 million trout that will be released throughout Pennsylvania this year.
playlist_add
Mar 17, 2023
Episode for March 17, 2023
Spring starts on March 20, but for many places, spring has been here for a while. How does that impact nature? We have the story of one family who isn’t sure if their home or water is safe. We talk with U.S. EPA’s onsite coordinator in East Palestine, who breaks down how the government is monitoring chemical pollution.
We have news about fines for U.S. Steel, flaring at Shell’s ethane cracker, and proposed federal rules on PFAS.
playlist_add
Mar 10, 2023
Episode for March 10, 2023
People in East Palestine want to know whether their homes are polluted by long-lasting chemicals called dioxins from the train derailment last month. We'll also hear from residents near the derailment site who are finding the investents they've made in their homes are worth a lot less after the crash.
Plus, an environmental group is trying to stop the US Forest Service from clear cutting a section of national forest to promote the growth of white oak trees.
We have news about the Clairton Coke Works air permit and Pa. Gov. Shapiro's environmental priorities in his state budget.
playlist_add
Mar 3, 2023
Episode for March 3, 3023
We have updates on the train derailment in East Palestine, where many people say they are deeply skeptical of officials who say it is safe to return to their homes. Meanwhile, Republican politicians are walking a fine line in East Palestine: showing concern for residents without being seen as liberal environmentalists. And EPA orders Norfolk Southern to test for dioxins.
The Bearded Ladies Cabaret in Philadelphia tackles climate change with a comedy show in drag, on ice.
playlist_add
Feb 24, 2023
Episode for February 24, 2024: The latest on the Ohio train derailment
We have more on the aftermath of the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. We hear from residents in Beaver County who feel left out of the response and farmers concerned about the black soot they found on their homes and property. Experts are now warning dioxins could be present. Plus, some are looking for additional soil and water testing from independent researchers outside of the government.
playlist_add
Feb 17, 2023
Episode for February 17, 2023
We have the latest developments of the East Palestine train derailment that polluted the area with toxic chemicals. We report on a community meeting where tensions ran high as residents asked questions about air and water quality and health impacts. We ask if stricter regulations could have averted the East Palestine train derailment.
Plus, a new memoir shares how the life of an environmental policy expert was informed by the work of a Pittsburgh environmental champion. And, we have news about a malfunction at the Shell ethane cracker that led to the flaring of chemicals at the plant.
playlist_add
Feb 10, 2023
Episode for February 10, 2023
Thousands of residents were allowed to return to their homes after an evacuation order was lifted following the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. We discuss what we know about air and water issues in the aftermath of the crash.
We also have reactions to a government report that finds many conventional oil and gas drillers in Pennsylvania aren't following regulations. Plus, lead from bullets is showing up in birds of prey that eat animals shot by hunters and farmers. We'll hear about solutions to the problem.
We also have news about an intent to sue Shell over air quality violations at its new ethane cracker, and an order from USEPA to a scrap metal recycler to limit emissions.
playlist_add
Feb 3, 2023
Episode for February 3, 2023
Can new recycling technologies that break plastics down into their chemical components save us from the plastic waste crisis? We talk with an environmental reporter about a new government study that casts doubt on so-called "advanced" plastic recycling.
The North Country National Scenic Trail has only about 20 known hikers who have trekked the entire 4,800 miles through eight states, including Pennsylvania. But in the farm country of northwestern Ohio, one more name is about to be added to the list.
playlist_add
Jan 27, 2023
Episode for January 27, 2023
One stop for some birds migrating south from Pennsylvania is the cloud forest in Costa Rica. But the cool, misty mountains are getting warmer and drier. We have a report on how birds there are adapting. Plus, closer to home, birders and naturalists oppose new development next to a wetland in Huntington County. They are trying to stop a truck stop from damaging the sensitive habitat.
January is National Radon Action month, and that means it's time to test your home for the radioactive, cancer-causing gas.
playlist_add
Jan 20, 2023
Episode for January 20, 2023
One way to reduce the carbon footprint of your home is to buy an electric heat pump. We look at the pros and cons of this climate solution. The National Weather Service wants the public to become “river ice spotters” to help monitor for ice jams on area rivers. Plus, Frick Park has a new resident: Castor the beaver.
We have news about new PFAS standards for drinking water in Pennsylvania, the Chesapeake Bay, and the new Pa. DEP secretary. Finally, scientists are hoping that sound can be the key to restoring oyster populations around the world.
playlist_add
Jan 13, 2023
Episode for January 13, 2023
State regulators call out the conventional oil and gas industry for a widespread failure to comply with Pennsylvania environmental regulations. And, an art exhibit aims to give trees the legal tools to protect themselves. Plus, we go forest bathing in Frick Park to improve our mental and physical health.
We also have news about a proposed new federal limit for soot, an investigation into a Christmas Day natural gas explosion, and Pa. Governor-elect Josh Shapiro's choice for DEP secretary.
playlist_add
Jan 6, 2023
Episode for January 6, 2023
Environmental groups say they found high levels of benzene in the air in the Mon Valley near Pittsburgh and want federal regulators to step in. Also, natural history museum specimens like mice stuffed with cotton and preserved for decades give researchers important information about the environment. But these collections are at risk. Plus, the US Postal Service reverses course and commits to converting its fleet of vehicles to electric.
playlist_add
Dec 30, 2022
Episode for December 30, 2022
This week, we're looking back to some of the environmental issues we covered in 2022, like hydrogen. It's been seen as the clean fuel of the future for decades. Now the Biden administration is putting money into it. So, is it finally hydrogen’s time? We'll also hear about towns in Pennsylvania trying to get ahead of climate change, extreme weather and flooding. Plus, we talk with the author of a new bird guide for enthusiasts and beginners alike.
playlist_add
Dec 23, 2022
Episode for December 23, 2022
This week, we revisit some of our favorite stories about nature, food and environmental champions. 2022 was the 60th anniversary of the publication of Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring," a book that questioned the indiscriminate use of synthetic chemicals and became an instant classic. We move from nonfiction to poetry that explores the damage people have done to each other and nature. Plus, we look at life along the Delaware River with an angler who is witnessing a changing landscape. And we talk with the author of a cookbook that offers vegan versions of Midwest comfort food.
playlist_add
Dec 16, 2022
Episode for December 16, 2022
Lawmakers in Ohio passed a bill to make it easier to frack in state parks, raising fears of pollution and disruption of outdoor recreation. We also follow up on the massive gas leak at a Cambria County storage site where the company failed to clean up oil and gas brine spilled on the ground.
Plus, we head out on a walk with Tree Pittsburgh to learn how to identify trees in the winter. We also have news about fines for a contractor for dumping gas waste around Fayette County, air pollution violations at Shell’s new ethane cracker, and a new program to help farmers make money. And, we find out why Cabot Oil and Gas, which just pleaded no contest to 15 criminal charges, including nine felonies for polluting drinking water in Dimock, Pa., is allowed to frack under the town.
playlist_add
Dec 9, 2022
Episode for December 9, 2022
This week, we take an in-depth look at a first-of-its-kind wind energy project approved for construction in Lake Erie. But the biggest barrier to more wind projects on the Great Lakes is public opposition. Plus, residents in Dimock, a small town in northeastern Pennsylvania, will finally have clean drinking water after a fracking company pleaded no contest to polluting their private wells more than a decade ago.
playlist_add
Dec 2, 2022
Episode for December 2, 2022
A massive leak at a natural gas storage facility in western Pennsylvania raises a lot of questions. We’ll also hear about a genetically modified American chestnut tree that can resist a deadly blight that’s on track to be deregulated by the federal government. And testing is crucial on farms and at wildlife centers to make sure that birds are not infected with a highly contagious avian flu that’s already led to the deaths of more than 4 million birds in Pennsylvania.
We also have news about air pollution rules for conventional (not fracked) gas and oil wells, and the failure of Pennsylvania to meet its Chesapeake Bay goals. Plus, Rutgers University develops an oyster reef ecosystem to prevent beach erosion.
playlist_add
Nov 18, 2022
Episode for November 18, 2022
This week, we discuss how the $2 billion in tax credit Gov. Wolf just signed into law benefits natural gas, including creating a hydrogen hub in Pennsylvania. We'll also hear about a solar farm project that will provide electricity to the University of Pittsburgh. But students calling for the school to divest from fossil fuels aren't satisfied. Plus, Shell's ethane cracker officially opens. And an environmental reporter blows off some steam during a solo hike.
We have news about the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and a fine for a gas company for spills of fracking fluid.
playlist_add
Nov 11, 2022
Episode for November 11, 2022
As climate change brings more risks to traditional farming, farmers are trying to make sure their crops survive. With the COP27 talks underway, the US and other wealthier nations are working to transition countries like South Africa away from fossil fuels.
Plus, we visit an urban farm in Pittsburgh that teaches neighbors how to grow and cook seasonal veggies. And, a Philly hiking group is improving women’s wellness.
We have news about federal money for abandoned mine cleanup and for projects for monitoring air quality. Pa. Governor Tom Wolf signs a $2 billion natural gas tax credit bill.
playlist_add
Nov 4, 2022
Episode for November 4, 2022
One company is mining Bitcoin to keep two waste coal power plants in Pennsylvania running. But what's the climate impact? A new report concludes that coal plants aren't doing enough to clean up coal ash disposal sites that are contaminating groundwater.
Plus, an urban farmer in Pittsburgh had to overcome significant challenges to clean up her property to start her enterprise.
We have news about microplastics in Pennsylvania waterways and federal funding to help coal communities.
playlist_add
Oct 28, 2022
Episode for October 28, 2022
Both John Fetterman and Dr. Mehmet Oz at one time were in favor of a moratorium on fracking, but now both support it. Do voters care? Meanwhile, the Pa. legislature just passed a $2 billion package of tax breaks meant to support the natural gas industry for decades.
While the Clean Water Act regulated unchecked industrial pollution, it didn't cover contamination like pharmaceuticals, which are a danger to wildlife. Plus, as the Clean Water Act turns 50, some of its protections for wetlands and smaller bodies of water could be limited by an upcoming Supreme Court decision.
News about Shell's Falcon pipeline and the Pa. DOH study of fracking and health.
playlist_add
Oct 21, 2022
Episode for October 21, 2022
Voters in one Ohio county are deciding if wind energy will be built in their community, but experts say their views may be colored by misinformation. We'll hear how the Clean Water Act, which just turned 50, revived the Delaware River. Plus, the garden of a refugee community in Pittsburgh helps sustain its own members and the neighborhood where it grows. And, we examine how a new rule in Allegheny County didn't stop air pollution from rising this month.
playlist_add
Oct 14, 2022
Episode for October 14, 2022
Fifty years ago, parts of the Delaware River stank, and fish couldn't survive in it. We look at how the Clean Water Act helped to revive this dead river. And, we have the first installment of a new series highlighting Black urban farmers growing food to sustain their communities.
Plus, a new collection of climate fiction looks forward to a better world for the environment and for people. We have news about new Pennsylvania regulations for gas wells and PFAS in drinking water, and a petition against Ohio's injection well program.
playlist_add
Oct 7, 2022
Episode for October 8, 2022
We answer your questions about the impact of Shell's ethane cracker on the region's jobs, property values, and of course, air pollution. Meanwhile, the state health department is funding the University of Pittsburgh to study the impacts of fracking on health. But both groups pulled out of a public meeting about the work.
We'll also hear about a nature preserve in Wyoming County that's now one of three new Pennsylvania parks. Plus, we have news about air regulations on gas wells, a solar farm in Armstrong County, and a new group on outdoor recreation.
playlist_add
Sep 29, 2022
Episode for September 30, 2022
In dozens of Pennsylvania towns, underground steam systems that heat buildings could be re-vamped, so they’re powered by renewable energy. But there’s competition: cheaper natural gas. We’ll also hear from President Biden’s climate envoy about what it will take to meet global greenhouse gas reduction goals.
Plus, a new short documentary tells the story of a small, rural town trying to keep a fracking waste injection well out of their community to preserve their drinking water and save a rare salamander. We have news about PFAS in fracking wastewater in Ohio.
playlist_add
Sep 23, 2022
Episode for September 23, 2022
This week, we learn about why white oak trees are in trouble and the lawsuit over a plan to cut them down in the Wayne National Forest. We also talk about the underground network that connects trees in forests and helps them communicate. Plus, the story of a hunter who discovered a full-grown American chestnut tree in a Delaware forest. We also have news about a global clean energy conference in Pittsburgh, pipelines, and spotted lanternflies.
playlist_add
Sep 16, 2022
Episode for September 16, 2022
Climate change is fueling more flooding in Pennsylvania and throughout the Ohio Valley. This week, we’ll look at the relationship between climate change and flooding in eastern Kentucky and West Virginia. And we’ll hear about how one town in Pennsylvania is trying to get ahead of the problem
Plus, it’s the 60th anniversary of the publication of a book that questioned the indiscriminate use of synthetic chemicals and became an instant classic: Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring. We also have news about zero-emissions buses in Pittsburgh, a large solar buy in Centre County, and bigger rebates for electric vehicles in Pennsylvania.
playlist_add
Sep 9, 2022
Episode for September 9, 2022
Street trees help cool cities, filter rainwater, and prevent flooding. We look at how Pennsylvania cities are overcoming the barriers to planting more. In Huntington County, birders and naturalists oppose new development next to a wetland. Plus, the creation of the Flight 93 National Memorial to honor the 40 crew and passengers who died there on 9/11 included treating mine pollution in the water nearby.
News about conservation funding in Pennsylvania, federal funds for miners with black lung disease, and a controversial plan at a landfill that accepts fracking waste.
playlist_add
Sep 2, 2022
Episode for September 2, 2022
PFAS, called forever chemicals, is the latest worry over fracking. We talk to a reporter about how PFAS found in one man's well water could have come from fracking. One year later, the devastating impacts of Hurricane Ida linger for people in Pennsylvania. And, we talk with a conservationist about purple martins, which need human-made birdhouses to keep them from going extinct in the eastern U.S.
Plus, news about a frack waste injection well in Allegheny County, air monitors in Delaware County, and monarch butterflies in the Lehigh Valley.
playlist_add
Aug 26, 2022
Episode for August 26, 2022
Susan Scott Peterson had been living in Pittsburgh for just a few weeks when she smelled it for the first time. The air was a little thick, a little hazy—and it smelled like a ripe porta-potty.
It didn’t take long to figure out it was hydrogen sulfide, a sulfur-smelling gas emitted by U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works, about fifteen miles south of her house. The plant manufactures coke, a fuel used in steelmaking—and it’s notorious for violating local pollution regulations.
But what could she do about it?
This is a story about the air we breathe, the risks we live with, and what it means to become a citizen of a place.
It’s adapted from an episode produced in 2021 for Outside/In, a podcast by New Hampshire Public Radio.
READ MORE:
Reducing Outdoor Contaminants in Indoor Spaces (ROCIS)
Articles about air pollution by The Allegheny Front
Articles about the Clairton Coke Works by The Allegheny Front
Resource list for groups working on air quality in Pittsburgh MUSIC IN…
playlist_add
Aug 19, 2022
Episode August 19, 2022
A new study finds children living near fracking sites in Pennsylvania are at an increased risk of leukemia. Meanwhile, Energy Transfer is held criminally responsible for the damage done during the construction of its Mariner East pipeline. We also have answers to some of your questions about Shell's ethane cracker in Beaver County.
We visit a small group of workers getting rid of the invasive plants in a Pittsburgh park…and they have four legs. And, teens learn how to sail the Pittsburgh rivers. Plus, a landmark climate law was signed by President Biden this week. A high school student says we should thank the activists, not the politicians.
playlist_add
Aug 12, 2022
Episode for August 12, 2022
This week, we explore how tourism impacts local communities and their natural resources like the Canaan Valley in West Virginia. It’s become a trendy tourist destination, which is good for business, but it’s straining the resources of a county with just 7,000 year-round residents.
We take a trip to Appalachia’s Ice Mountain, where rare plants have existed since the Ice Age, and cool air seeps out of ice vents deep in the rocks. Plus, a conversation with Pennsylvania’s first director of outdoor recreation.
playlist_add
Aug 5, 2022
Episode for August 5, 2022
This week, we have a special show about Indigenous people, land, water, and culture. Our first story looks at how the pawpaw, a fruit that mainly grows in the eastern US, continues to live in the memories and language of Indigenous people forced to move west.
Then, we talk with an Indigenous scientist about her new book that contrasts conservation science with Indigenous knowledge about the natural world.
Plus, a paddler from the Seneca Nation takes a 300-mile journey down the Allegheny River to draw attention to protecting it and all waterways.
playlist_add
Jul 29, 2022
Episode for July 29, 2022
We talk with three families who are leaving or have left Beaver County because of Shell's ethane cracker, fearing pollution, and looking for better opportunities. Pennsylvania is looking at bringing American martens, a small weasel, back to the state's forests. We talk with a wildlife biologist with the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Plus, we visit a one-of-a-kind prairie habitat in Pennsylvania, home to an endangered rattlesnake and wildflowers. And, news about the Chesapeake Bay and wild turkeys.
playlist_add
Jul 22, 2022
Episode for July 22, 2022
Residents in Greene County, Pennsylvania who say their water has been contaminated from a fracking incident want action. We’ll also hear about a PR campaign by natural gas companies that targets Black and Latino voters in Pennsylvania.
A farmer says a nearby gas well is as loud as a jet engine from supercomputers — fueled by the gas — mining cryptocurrency. Plus, news about environmental funding from the Pennsylvania state budget.
playlist_add
Jul 15, 2022
Episode for July 15, 2022
Residents of a tiny coal town in West Virginia went without clean water for more than a decade until a California nonprofit stepped in. We revisit the story of a volunteer who tried to restore a stream until Sunoco began building the Mariner East pipeline. Then, he watched as they polluted it.
A new study follows in the footsteps of surveys going back 200 years when biodiversity was "unbelievable." Now those wild places are filled with invasive plants. Plus, how to spot poison hemlock, news about a fracking incident, and Gov. Wolf vetos an anti-climate bill.
playlist_add
Jul 8, 2022
Episode for July 8, 2022
This week, we talk with a reporter with Inside Climate News who says the Supreme Court EPA decision could result in more expensive regulations for power plants.
We also take a closer look at why Pennsylvania and other states are suing the US Postal Service over a lack of electric vehicles in its plan to replace its fleet.
Researchers are using a program trained to identify bird species from hours of birdsong recorded in the forest to help with conservation. Plus, news about the spotted lanternfly, fracking in Allegheny County parks, and a poll that shows two-thirds of Pennsylvanians accept climate change.
playlist_add
Jul 1, 2022
Episode for July 1, 2022
Pennsylvania leaders in environment and energy react to the Supreme Court’s EPA climate ruling.
Plus, we revisit our stories in the series Farmers Wanted, which examines the challenges of cultivating a new generation of farmers in Pennsylvania.
We also replay our conversation with the author of a speculative novel about survival after climate disasters and plastic pollution.
We have news about air quality in Allegheny County, and a Pittsburgh visit by the Energy Secretary, who called climate change the "war of our lifetimes."
playlist_add
Jun 24, 2022
Episode for June 24, 2022
Will a new regulation that curbs air pollution in the Mon Valley give residents more clean air days? Some aren't so sure.
A new study shows black lung disease in younger coal miners is caused by silica dust. While the federal government wants to reduce their exposure to it, for those who already have the fatal disease, it’s too late.
Plus, a discussion on the catastrophe that coal has left behind. And a look at what could make agriculture a more sustainable job choice in the future.
playlist_add
Jun 17, 2022
Episode for June 17, 2022
This week, we join the Andy Warhol Museum at a property in Butler County that was once plagued by acid mine drainage, but now it’s a paradise for migrating birds and art. We also talk with the author of a new bird guide that’s for enthusiasts and beginners alike. Plus, a massive new proposal to build an LNG export plant along the Delaware faces environmental justice concerns.
playlist_add
Jun 10, 2022
Episode for June 10, 2022
It's been years in the planning and building stages. Now, Shell's ethane cracker along the Ohio River is finally going online this summer. This week, we're talking to people in the communities surrounding the massive plant -- from neighbors who are fearful of pollution to others who are hopeful for new jobs. And, how one activist is looking to protect public health while others are preparing to keep an eye on the Ohio for plastic pollution from the plant.
playlist_add
Jun 3, 2022
Episode for June 3, 2022
Pittsburgh is helping residents prepare for a rainier future. And community advocates want racist housing policies taken into account when planning for green infrastructure. Plus, the author of a new book says facing our emotions about the climate crisis is just as important as taking action.
playlist_add
May 27, 2022
Episode for May 27, 2022
Conservationists are working hard to save a plant so rare, few have ever seen it. And entomologist Doug Tallamy wants people to ditch half of their manicured, green lawn in favor of native plants to feed bees and other pollinators. We’ll also meet members of a garden group who are gently encouraging people to retire their lawnmowers.
playlist_add
May 20, 2022
Episode for May 20, 2022
We examine why the climate crisis is causing increased cases of anxiety. We also talk with a psychologist about managing those fears and moving towards solutions. And, how to help farmers who struggle with mental health issues. Plus, air pollution news for Allegheny County.
playlist_add
May 13, 2022
Episode for May 13, 2022
Museum animal specimens give researchers important clues about the environment. But these collections are at risk. We also talk with an author about an intersectional approach to environmentalism. And residents and activists don't think new rules go far enough to address air pollution from the Clairton Coke Works.
playlist_add
May 6, 2022
Episode for May 6, 2022
We discuss where the Pennsylvania candidates for governor and US Senate stand on the environment. Federal infrastructure money is headed to Pa. for mass transit, but how best to spend it? Plus, a company wants to use water from a trout stream to frack. And a little love for plants.
playlist_add
Apr 29, 2022
Episode for April 29, 2022
Hydrogen has been seen as the clean fuel of the future for decades. Now, a new effort is pushing for southwestern Pennsylvania to become a "hydrogen hub." A new kind of pipeline would be needed to transport CO2 for storage underground. But a report warns of the dangers of these pipelines and a lack of federal oversight. Plus, a Pittsburgh-led team documents the ivory-billed woodpecker thought to be extinct.
playlist_add
Apr 22, 2022
Episode for April 22, 2022
More cities and towns, like Pittsburgh, are banning single-use plastic bags in stores and restaurants. But do they work? We speak with an author of a book about the first Earth Day who says it was the inclusion of all types of people that was truly genius. Plus, news about RGGI, bird flu and the Chesapeake Bay.
playlist_add
Apr 14, 2022
April 15, 2022
A new book looks at how local governments have dealt with the fracking boom. An artist is giving the public a new way to look at a buried urban waterway. We join an outdoor club rappelling down a steep Pittsburgh hillside to pick up trash. Plus, the last coal-fired power plant in Allegheny County closes.
playlist_add
Apr 8, 2022
Episode for April 8, 2022
What will it take to decarbonize transportation? We talk with one of the authors of the latest UN climate report. Climate change is impacting birds, says an author of a book that chronicles bird migrations. How changes to the federal flood insurance program are helping one Philly neighborhood. Plus, Pittsburgh is one step closer to banning single-use plastic bags.
playlist_add
Apr 1, 2022
Episode for April 1, 2022
A federal agency fined Energy Transfer for a pipeline spill in Ohio. Is it too little, too late? And a proposed cracker plant in Ohio gets a critical permit. Plus, how fire is helping create new habitat for an imperiled songbird. We have tips on what to do if an invasive jumping worm is invading your garden.
playlist_add
Mar 25, 2022
PFAS in drinking water; Avian Flu in Pa.; Industrial Fines and a Spill
A proposed rule would limit 2 PFAS chemicals, linked to a long list of health problems, in drinking water in Pennsylvania. An outbreak of avian flu in Pa. could threaten poultry flocks, big and small. An artist gives her view of the Delaware River. Plus, more fines for U.S. Steel and a leak at Shell’s ethane cracker.
playlist_add
Mar 18, 2022
Episode for March 18, 2022
We take an electric car for a trial run and answer your questions. Pennsylvania sets a PFAS limit for drinking water. And a birding advocate wants to make outdoor spaces more accessible and equitable for all. Plus, a fed-up pipeline activist is running for governor.
playlist_add
Mar 11, 2022
Glass recycling; PennFuture's Jacqui Bonomo; Nearly $3M in fines for U.S. Steel
New glass recycling dropoff locations opened in Allegheny County. We look at why some municipalities don’t recycle glass at the curb. And, we talk to a longtime environmental leader about her career and why she’s still hopeful. Plus, more fines for U.S. Steel.
playlist_add
Feb 25, 2022
Using geothermal in Philly; Poetry that grieves for nature
We ask: Could Philadelphia use geothermal energy to meet its climate goals? And, a new book of poetry explores the damage that people have done to each other and nature. Vultures may have a bad name, but they serve an important function. Plus, the construction of the Mariner East pipeline is finally complete.
playlist_add
Feb 18, 2022
Plugging oil/gas wells; SCOTUS climate case; A new champion for outdoor recreation
The federal infrastructure law will give $330 million to Pa. to clean up abandoned oil/gas wells. Plus, the Supreme Court is set to hear a case about regulating greenhouse gas emissions that could have big implications. And, a conversation with Pennsylvania’s first director of outdoor recreation.
playlist_add
Feb 11, 2022
Connecting severe winter storms with climate change; What Indigenous science can teach us about conservation
Severe winter storms can make running a business more unpredictable. But what's the climate connection? And, a new book contrasts Western conservation with Indigenous science. We check out what it's like to live on an island in the Great Lakes. Plus, debunking myths about the spotted lanternfly.
playlist_add
Feb 4, 2022
Fracking and the risk of premature death; solar misconceptions
A study finds the elderly living near fracking sites have a higher risk of dying prematurely. Plus, a pipeline company is charged with environmental crimes. A climate reporter wants to hear from you. And, a look at the role of fire at the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.
playlist_add
Jan 28, 2022
U.S. Steel lawsuit; deadly tick-borne disease found in Pa.
Plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit against U.S. Steel asked a judge to find the company violated the Clean Air Act 12,000 times after a 2018 fire. A rare but deadly virus carried by deer ticks has been found in high numbers in a township park. A city kid learns to love winter through a cold and snowy camping trip.
playlist_add
Jan 21, 2022
Cryptocurrencies and waste coal; Impaired streams; Unplugging in the woods
How waste coal is fueling Bitcoin in Pennsylvania. A new state report says a third of Pa. streams are impaired. A grant will help disadvantaged farmers get conservation assistance in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. We take a winter hike to appreciate nature and head to a cabin in the woods to unplug.
playlist_add
Jan 14, 2022
Remembering E.O. Wilson; Bees in Pa.; Black farmers
The life and work of famed biologist E.O. Wilson. A researcher is hoping to fill in the gaps on Pennsylvania's bee populations. Black farmers in Pittsburgh are looking to provide fresh, local food in an area with no grocery store. A local teen focuses on litter.
playlist_add
Jan 7, 2022
Coal's catastrophic environmental legacy; Farming made easier
We talk to a reporter who has chronicled the catastrophic environmental legacy of coal. Advocates hope new federal money will help clean up waterways polluted from mine drainage. A startup uses technology to make farming easier. The Mariner East pipeline, plagued by delays and environmental damage, will soon be finished.
playlist_add
Dec 30, 2021
Some (good) news stories from 2021
Some good news stories from 2021: Conservationists work to keep a pristine glacial lake near Erie protected. Pennsylvanians have a lot of choices when it comes to electricity providers. A long-time environmental journalist reflects on his career. Plus, enterprising siblings recycle cans for cash.
playlist_add
Dec 24, 2021
Stories from 2021: Black bears in Pa.; Dragonflies on the Ohio; DumpBusters in Pittsburgh
We feature environmental stories that gave us hope in 2021. We head into the woods to learn about Pa.’s black bears. We join a crew cleaning up trash at an illegal dump site. Plus, we hear from the director of a nonprofit focused on bringing fresh produce to people, and researchers who found an indicator of good water quality in the Ohio River.
playlist_add
Dec 17, 2021
Organic farmers squeezed by inflation; A new sci-fi novel imagines a future "Scrappalachia" full of plastic pollution
We learn how local organic farmers are getting squeezed by inflation. The author of a new sci-fi book about plastic pollution envisions the region as “Scrappalachia.” Plus, we learn about a common little owl that blends in with its surroundings, but can’t hide its distinctive calls."
playlist_add
Dec 10, 2021
Watching a stream get polluted by Sunoco; Deer with Covid; Combat training over Pa Wilds
The story of a volunteer whose conservation efforts were thwarted by construction of the Mariner East pipeline. We talk with the researcher who found deer infected with the coronavirus. The Maryland Air National Guard wants to lower the altitude for combat training over a rural part of Pennsylvania, but residents and local businesses have questions.
playlist_add
Dec 3, 2021
Inside the Clairton Coke Works; Overcoming climate anxiety; Finding land for farming
New documents reveal the decrepit conditions at the Clairton Coke Works that led to a massive fire in 2018. A coach for activists says it’s normal to have anxiety over environmental destruction. Aspiring Pennsylvania farmers are struggling to find land. Plus, a new vegan cookbook for regional comfort food.
playlist_add
Nov 23, 2021
Living with it: The story of one family and Pittsburgh’s polluted air
Susan Scott Peterson had been living in Pittsburgh for just a few weeks when she smelled it for the first time. The air was a little thick, a little hazy—and it smelled like a ripe porta-potty.
It didn’t take long to figure out it was hydrogen sulfide, a sulfur-smelling gas emitted by U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works, about fifteen miles south of her house. The plant manufactures coke, a fuel used in steelmaking—and it’s notorious for violating local pollution regulations.
But what could she do about it?
This is a story about the air we breathe, the risks we live with, and what it means to become a citizen of a place.
This story is adapted from an episode produced for Outside/In, a podcast by New Hampshire Public Radio.
playlist_add
Nov 19, 2021
Pollution's mental toll: How air, water and climate change shape our mental health
The Allegheny Front and Environmental Health News investigated the mental health impacts of air and water pollution and climate change in western Pennsylvania.
We found alarming evidence that residents throughout the region are likely suffering changes to their brains due to pollution in the surrounding environment. Reporting also uncovered the growing gap in mental health care as more people are traumatized by worsening climate change.
More at https://www.alleghenyfront.org/mentalhealth
playlist_add
Nov 12, 2021
Climate change solutions in Central Pennsylvania; the struggles of farming
A new collaboration hopes to get people in Central Pennsylvania talking about climate change. We also examine the mental health struggles of farmers, and how an aging farming population in Pennsylvania means that the future of small family farming is changing.
playlist_add
Nov 5, 2021
Opposition to offshore wind; Elk corridor; GASP's new leader
Some people along the coast of New Jersey are saying no to offshore wind power. They worry about preserving the character and natural beauty of NJ beaches. We talk with the new leader of a clean air watchdog group in Pittsburgh. A professor wants to create a corridor throughout the Appalachians for elk. Our reporter escapes to the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail.
playlist_add
Oct 29, 2021
Hunters and anglers on climate; creating free-flowing rivers
Climate change is making it harder to hunt and fish. An advocacy group wants hunters and anglers to speak out. Pennsylvania Senate passed a resolution disapproving of the state joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Taking down dams to create a free-flowing Mahoning River is not without controversy. Consumer choices are hard when you want to do good for the environment. One expert says don't sweat the small stuff.
playlist_add
Oct 22, 2021
Metal recycler in Allegheny County the target of EPA; Light pollution to be curbed in Pittsburgh
Metalico, a metal recycler on Neville Island in Allegheny County, is now the target of EPA. It has been a nuisance to the community for years. Pittsburgh has a new light pollution ordinance. An astronomer advocates for dark skies. Criminal charges against a pipeline company do little to spark action in the Pa. legislature.
playlist_add
Oct 15, 2021
The future of Pa. forests; the rebirth of a western Pa. river; the right to sign a gas lease
Researchers say too many deer and invasive plants are threatening the long-term survival of Pa.'s forests. A filmmaker of a new documentary about a massive effort to clean up a Western Pa. river says it's a hopeful story. The author of a book about individual liberty and private property rights argues that signing a gas lease shouldn't be one of those rights.
playlist_add
Oct 8, 2021
Wind turbines off the Jersey Shore; Mariner East criminal charges; Help to make your yard wild
More wind turbines in the ocean mean more renewable energy on the grid. But what's the impact on fisheries? Pennsylvania's attorney general files criminal charges for the Mariner East pipeline. A new group is encouraging people to retire their lawnmowers and leafblowers and plant native species.
playlist_add
Oct 1, 2021
More renewable energy means more power lines; Climate action in Pa.
Transmission lines are key to more renewable energy, but some don't want them on their land. Students take to the streets for a climate strike. We get reaction to Pa.'s new Climate Action Plan. Volunteers clean up tons of trash along Pittsburgh's hillsides.
playlist_add
Sep 24, 2021
Pa.'s new climate action plan; climate solutions for farmers and local governments
Pennsylvania has a new climate action plan. Regenerative farming is part of the climate solution as is a program to help local governments. Pennsylvania has pledged to regulate toxic PFAS chemicals in drinking water. What's taking so long? New Allegheny County air regs, and a study on the health benefits of joining a regional cap-and-trade program.
playlist_add
Sep 16, 2021
Protecting Pennsylvania's most pristine glacial lake; Replacing lawn with natives in your yard
Protecting a pristine glacial lake in Erie County from invasive species takes painstaking work. Author Doug Tallamy wants people to plant their yards with native species that feed the ecosystem. Pittsburgh opens two new parks, one with a public art installation that makes visible the history of water and flooding. A climate change training for community and business leaders.
playlist_add
Sep 10, 2021
Keeping the Flight 93 memorial as a place for reflection in nature
Preserving the sacred ground at the Flight 93 National Memorial and treating the water pollution that plagued the site long before the plane crashed there on 9/11. A look back as a naturalist searched for reassurance in nature on September 12. We dig into the recent decision by a federal judge to throw out a Trump rule that stripped protections for many streams and wetlands.
playlist_add
Sep 3, 2021
Labor and fossil fuel communities in a clean energy economy; a little clover makes a big comeback
What some labor unions want in a clean energy economy. We'll also talk to the engineer the president has tasked with making sure fossil fuel communities aren't left behind. Pa. is a step closer to putting a price on carbon. Plus, a little clover makes a big move off the Endangered Species list. News about fracking waste and the Clean Water Act.
playlist_add
Aug 27, 2021
Bird migration; Teaching machines to lD birdsongs; A warning for Shell about its Falcon pipeline
The wonder and peril of bird migration with author Scott Weidensaul. Teaching computer models to identify birdsong to aid in conservation. The Department of Energy listens to community perspectives on the ethane and petrochemical industries. News about Shell's Falcon pipeline and climate education in Pa. schools.
playlist_add
Aug 20, 2021
Vaccinating raccoons; Shopping for electricity; Another fine for Sunoco
A vaccine blitz for raccoons to stop rabies from marching westward. How to shop smart for electricity. A short documentary features little kids tackling a big environmental problem... litter. News about a new plan for Pa.'s state parks to address climate change, a fine for spills from the Mariner East, and a roadblock for a new coal mine in Allegheny County.
playlist_add
Aug 13, 2021
Black bears, a climate warning, and a New Civilian Conservation Corps
The latest UN climate report is the most dire yet. A climate scientist breaks it down. Calls for a new Civilian Conservation Corps. We head into the woods with Pennsylvania's bear biologist to tag black bears. News about conservation funding and a fine for a pipeline company.
playlist_add
Aug 6, 2021
Green infrastructure and risks of gentrification; Native American connection to the pawpaw
Green infrastructure uses natural systems to steer rainwater away from aging sewer systems, but it could lead to gentrification. Indigenous tribes, forcibly removed from Appalachia 200 years ago, are reconnecting with a traditional food: pawpaws. News about Pa. state parks, air quality, and a mysterious bird disease.
playlist_add
Jul 30, 2021
How birds are faring; Environmental justice in Philly; Controlling hemlock wooly adelgid
While bald eagle populations are increasing, other birds of prey seem to be declining. Some Philadelphia residents are accusing the city of racism over permitting a new natural gas plant. How homeowners can join foresters in stopping the hemlock wooly adelgid. Plus news about air quality and fracking.
playlist_add
Jul 23, 2021
Pennsylvania’s very own prairie; radioactive oil and gas waste; environmental risks for cancer.
How tourism impacts local communities and their natural resources. Plus, an environmental group is calling for stricter regulations on how companies handle radioactive oil and gas waste. And a network of physicians, researchers, activists and cancer survivors issues a declaration on reducing pollution so fewer people get cancer. And finally, we take a trip to Pennsylvania’s very own prairie.
playlist_add
Jul 17, 2021
A trek through the Dolly Sods Wilderness; Pennsylvania's long road to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative; Pittsburgh's riverfront trails are where its industrial past and its future meet.
This week, we take a hike in one of the region's most unique landscapes: the Dolly Sods Wilderness. Plus, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a rule to help Pennsylvania cut carbon emissions from power generation and meet its climate goals, has cleared another hurdle. But some who represent power plant communities have questions. And, Pittsburgh's riverfront trails are where its industrial past and its future meet
playlist_add
Jul 9, 2021
Mysterious bird deaths; Answers to your climate questions; Reflections of a longtime environmental journalist
Researchers are racing to find the cause of mysterious bird deaths being reported across the eastern US. We have answers to your questions on Biden's climate plan. Don Hopey, a longtime environmental journalist reflects on his beat in Pittsburgh. Plus news about U.S. Steel's Clairton Coke Works.
playlist_add
Jul 2, 2021
A solar boom in Pa., Michael Mann on the new climate wars; More smoggy days
Despite decreasing pollution, climate change is making air quality worse. We'll hear from climate expert Michael Mann who says climate deniers have a new tactic: doom and gloom. A psychologist discusses managing our climate fears and moving towards solutions. The next energy boom in Pennsylvania: solar power.
playlist_add