Climate Change

A carbon pledge, a bag ban, a tree plan: Philly’s year in environmental news and what’s next

This article highlights the biggest environmental news coming from Philadelphia in the year 2021. 

  • "Philadelphia vowed to be carbon neutral by 2050. One strategy for meeting this goal comes from Philly's Building Energy Performance Program, which requires all non-residential
  • ...Read more
NERC report outlines potential electricity disruptions in the United States this summer

According to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation's (NERC) Summer Reliability Assessment, many parts of the United States are at elevated or high risk for potential electricity emergencies this summer, with several regions at risk of electricity shortfalls during above-...Read more

Report explores a decarbonized future for PGW, cites its current structure and business model as challenges

In December 2021, the much anticipated 81-page PGW Businesss Diversification study was released. The report recommends further study into three separate future pathways for PGW: geothermal energy; expanded weatherization; and harvesting sewer gas or landfill gas that produces methane. The...Read more

Extreme weather, low hydro and fuel shortages could threaten grid in multiple regions this winter: NERC

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)produces two broad reliabilty assessments every year, ahead of the summer and winter peaking seasons, to evaluate generation resources and transmission system adequacy. But after the blackouts in Texas and the midwest last...Read more

The U.S. Will Need a Lot of Land for a Zero-Carbon Economy

In a reversal of Trump's anti-climate policies, Biden's administration has decided to re-instate net-zero emissions goals to 2030. The article brings to light how power generation, transportation, and manufacturing will need to implement radical changes in order to meet this goal, especially...Read more

Abandoned Oil and Gas Sites Are Leaking Methane Across the Country

This article peaked my interest after attending 4S and listening to a presentation on orphaned oil and gas wells on Dinehtah, the homeland of the Navajo tribe. 

There are 3.2 million abandoned oil and gas wells across the United States which pose great environmental and health risks as...Read more

Philly’s next crop of city buildings will be greener under bill passed by Philly Council

 

A new bill, passed by the Philadelphia City Council will set requirements for new construction projects including on-site renewable energy, optimized energy performance, and sustainable materials. According to the article, "Many new city buildings...Read more

Groups urge bigger targets, more equity as RGGI states consider changes

This article describes the current review of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which participating states undertake every few years. The current review will take place throughout 2022, with new rules set in the fall. The article highlights calls from environmental advocates to set more...Read more

Biden ‘Over-Promised and Under-Delivered’ on Climate. Now, Trouble Looms in 2022

The path for fulfilling the Biden's Administration's ambitious climate change goals narrows as the Build Back Better Act, which contains $555 billion in proposed climate action, is in limbo in Capitol Hill, and as the Supreme Court is set to ...Read more

‘Historic, dangerous, prolonged and unprecedented’ heat wave swells over Pacific Northwest

In a record-breaking heat wave that’s swept the Pacific Northwest, The Washington Post has followed the event as it is documented by local newspapers and weather forecasters. This past week, temperatures in the Pacific Northwest have consistently...Read more

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