PennEnvironment

09/04/2026

ICYMI: Our recent report found that bacteria from f***l matter is polluting Pennsylvania rivers and streams. Read more from Pennsylvania Capital-Star

E. coli is especially harmful for swimmers. It can cause gastrointestinal illness, respiratory disease and infections of the skin, ears and eyes. But the report notes that bacteria can be harmful for people engaging in other recreational activities like fishing, boating or paddling.

09/03/2026

What an awesome way to generate solar energy! Take a look at Swiss innovation at work to put solar panels on railroad tracks in this pilot project.

The world’s first removable solar power plant, installed alongside a railway line, is now operational in Switzerland. It is attracting interest in Italy, France and Asia.

09/02/2026

"For many in Southeastern Pennsylvania, butterflies fluttering through gardens, bumblebees buzzing around flowers and fireflies lighting up summer nights were once familiar sights. But those insects are becoming harder to find."

Read more about why-

(WPHL) — For many in Southeastern Pennsylvania, butterflies fluttering through gardens, bumblebees buzzing around flowers and fireflies lighting up summer nights were once familiar sights. Bu…

09/01/2026

Proposals for new gas plants in the U.S. have nearly doubled in the last 6 months due to data center demand. This means more pollution polluting our air, making us sick, and harming the planet-

Driven by rapid data center expansion, U.S. gas-fired power capacity in development jumped 50% to 378 GW, with Texas leading the push.

08/31/2026

Check out this resource to track data center proposals across the state.

https://gis.dep.pa.gov/DataCenterPermitTracker/

This interactive map shows the locations of proposed data center projects in the Commonwealth with a list of environmental permits for each project and their status.

The map also shows the locations of other unconfirmed data center projects, found under the "Layers" tab. Types of permits and/or authorizations commonly associated with large scale data centers can include (but are not limited to):
Earth disturbance and stormwater management (Chapter 102)
Wetland and waterway encroachment (Chapter 105)
Storage tanks
Air quality
Sewage Facilities Planning
Clean Water

As a note- DEP does not have a role in local zoning decisions and does not track local ordinances, this resource is for state permits.

The PA Data Center Permit Tracker shows where all proposed data center projects are located, and tracks the progress of environmental permits for the projects.

08/28/2026

Reducing air pollution improves health outcomes for children.

According to a study published in The Lancet, scientists say they have been "stunned" by how quickly young children's lungs began to recover and grow after pollution protections were brought in where they lived.

London created an "Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez)" in 2019. Researchers tested lungs of young elementary-aged children in London before the "Ulez" took effect and found they "were smaller in capacity than those in Luton, [another city] which is less polluted than London but has a similar mix of pollutants.

After 4 years of implementing the Ulez, researchers tested the lungs of the London kids again & found "the children's lung capacity reached near identical levels" to the children in the less polluted city. This shows an ambitious clean air zone can drive pollution levels down, rapidly restoring children's stunted lung growth.

Breathe Project Allegheny County Health Department BBC

Children's lung capacity caught up with their peers in less polluted areas once a clean air zone came in, a study shows.

08/28/2026

Our clean water advocate Stephanie Wein joins EcoWURD to talk about our report on f***l contamination on the Delaware River and what we need to do for clean water in Philly. Tune into Stephanie's segment at 26:40. https://www.facebook.com/100063630593724/videos/1548478183748385

08/28/2026

Their words, not ours ☠

Check out this deep dive in The Philadelphia Citizen on our new report about f***l bacteria in Pennsylvania waterways and our findings, recommendations for the Philly region and the Philadelphia Water Department.

https://thephiladelphiacitizen.org/how-to-fix-our-somewhat-sh*tty-delaware/

08/28/2026

“It’s been clear for a long time that the question isn’t one of technological capability or effectiveness of the policies but whether our elected officials have the political will and the intestinal fortitude to implement these much-needed energy policies, It’s time we take the policy steps necessary to move our energy systems out of the 19th century and into the 21st century.”- our ED David Masur about PennFuture's new Report.

Pennsylvania’s legislature could do a lot more to speed up renewable-energy adoption, a new report says.

08/27/2026

Artificial turf installed in FDR park could have ramifications for stormwater management, community health, and our environment. Read more from Frank Ku**er in the Philadelphia Inquirer

The field was completed in time for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in July.