The Allegheny Front Environmental Podcast

An investigation finds fracking chemicals in the bodies of people living near gas wells in SW Pa. Fossil fuel reps say gas and coal are part of the climate solution. Some Pa. Democratic lawmakers agree. For our First Person series, we talk with a young forester about how she came to love the outdoors. News about plastic bag bans, a tax on gas, and the Revolution pipeline.

Fracking is banned in the Delaware River watershed. Farmers can help reduce carbon in the atmosphere. But what's in it for them? A contentious budget hearing for the Pennsylvania DEP brings up RGGI and falsehoods. The plot to get Americans to cook with gas. We head out for some winter fun.

Redlining has led to fewer green spaces in many communities across the country. We kick off a new series talking with Black leaders in environmental organizations with Grow Pittsburgh's new executive director. People in counties with drilling activity haven't seen the economic benefits of the industry. Citizen science projects you can do from your couch.

Some in Ohio say frack waste injection wells are being permitted in places where they don’t belong. Activists want a permit revoked for an injection well near Pittsburgh. A local practitioner shows us his version of ski ballet. There may be snow on the ground, but we're planning for that summer garden now.

What you need to know about Allegheny County meeting federal air standards for the first time ever. Meanwhile, Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf's budget address doesn't mention climate, a gas well spews wastewater in Ohio, and New River Gorge rock climbers reckon with racist route names.

Reports of illegal dumping are up in Pennsylvania. Why? A wastewater authority is promoting solar energy in Centre County. A report criticizes DEP for allowing coal mining to damage streams. Allegheny County finally meets air quality standards.

Fears of harms from solar panels have been disproven by scientists. The Biden administration's policies on public lands will be be very different from Trump's. We look at environmental issues in the Pennsylvania legislature in the coming year. Climate scientist Michael Mann discusses new tactics by climate deniers, and why he's so optimistic for the future.

We've come to the end of our Trump on Earth podcast. After four years and 100 episodes, we take a look at the biggest rollbacks of the Trump administration, and the impacts on climate change, science and public lands. It's an episode you don't want to miss!

Pennsylvania is on the cusp of a solar boom, but are some against rows of solar panels in their backyards. Efforts in Ohio to create heavier penalties for trespass of infrastructure like gas pipelines. A former Trump EPA official shares his story and concerns about the role of science at the agency.

A look back at environmental stories of 2020. Blaming the pandemic, some people doubt that a petrochemical boom will come to the Ohio Valley. The boom and bust of the coal industry means Appalachia needs new economic solutions to undo decades of neglect. And the massive protests against racial discrimination last year brought more attention to environmental justice.

Local communities take climate action, with the help of a state program. Scientists combat an invasive insect killing hemlocks by introducing a new beetle. The sounds of nature are good for our health.

The human costs of natural gas development: Residents say living next to the construction of a new natural gas power plant is causing distress, while neighbors of a planned liquified natural gas export terminal are worried about risks of explosions. Advocates lay out a new agenda for the Lake Erie Watershed.

Seeking refuge from the upheaval of 2020 on a 70-mile hike. We also revisit stories about native plants in Pennsylvania: Saving a plant so rare, few have seen it; gardening with native plants; and how an invasive shrub and foraging mice could be bad for forests. Plus, residents speak out after an air inversion caused a string of bad air days in Allegheny County.

The call for a reimagined Civilian Conservation Corps to solve today's problems. Researchers work to develop a Lyme disease vaccine, while the tick's range increases, including urban parks. Pa bills would loosen rules for pollution reporting and conventional drilling. Federal charges against the Pittsburgh water agency.

What Biden’s win means for the environment and climate. Students hold a climate action summit, while youth in coal country contemplate their future without coal. Kids living near industrial plants in Allegheny County have nearly triple the rate of asthma of kids nationwide. DEP orders steep slopes along the Revolution pipeline to stabilized. A "Marshall Plan" for Appalachia.

An election post-mortem on hopes to flip the GOP-controlled Pennsylvania General Assembly to blue. The US Senate will likely stay under GOP control. So what could a (potential) President Biden do on climate and environment? What some Pennsylvania voters had to say about the environment.

The stark differences between Trump and Biden on the environment and climate are splitting voters. We hear from coal miners, natural gas industry supporters, environmentalists and farmers across Pennsylvania. The Environmental Voter Project is targeting non-voting environmentalists. They've turned a quarter of a million of them into regular voters since 2016. Could this be the year of the climate voter?

A sweeping new plan for restoration, recreation and commerce in the Ohio River watershed. This election season, we hear from voters on actions they want from lawmakers on climate change, and from an environmental group hoping to turn Pa.'s Republican-led legislature blue. Plus, climate change could already be impacting the safety of boats, barges and their operators on the the Ohio River.

Researchers are hoping a genetically modified American chestnut can help restore this giant to eastern forests. Others are opposed. Emergency planners in communities along the Mariner East pipeline say they've been left in the dark. A psychologist discusses how to cope with the anxiety of climate change. Plus news about radioactivity from gas wells.

Why Trump keeps losing in court. How will the issue of fracking influence the 2020 election? A coal magnet who fought mine safety rules filed for black lung benefits. Allegheny County improves its handling of applications for air pollution permits.