Susan Phillips

A new report reveals the EPA approved the use of PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” to frack oil and gas wells. The non-profit Physicians for Social Responsibility used public records to detail use of the class of chemicals in oil and gas drilling. WHYY’s Susan Phillips reports.

Philadelphia launched its plastic bag ban July 1, starting with an educational campaign. A state moratorium on bag bans prompted the city to sue earlier this year.

But as WHYY StateImpact Pennsylvania’s Susan Phillips reports that moratorium was not renewed, leaving more options for local municipalities eager to reduce plastic pollution.

Fireworks will have many flocking to Fourth of July celebrations this weekend, especially since the pandemic restrictions have been lifted.

But as WHYY’s Susan Phillips reports those spectacular aerial displays come with a toxic stew of air pollutants.

The U.S. Supreme Court says the state of New Jersey cannot prevent construction of the PennEast pipeline on state lands. WHYY StateImpact Pennsylvania’s Susan Phillips reports despite the 5-4 ruling, opponents remain committed to blocking the project.

Pennsylvania officials have begun spraying insecticide to control the invasive spotted lanternfly. The inspect arrived in the state from Asia seven years ago and can destroy trees and vines.

WHYY StateImpact Pennsylvania’s Susan Phillips reports the pest has spread to 11 states on the East Coast.

June 1 marks the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season. It’s expected to be a busy one. But, as WHYY StateImpact Pennsylvania’s Susan Phillips reports, it should not be as bad as last year’s.

Sunoco’s Mariner East natural gas liquids pipeline construction in Chester County has led to hundreds of thousands of gallons of muddy groundwater spilling into a creek and wetland. The cloudy run-off has flowed into a popular trout stream since Easter Sunday – coinciding with the start of trout season.

WHYY StateImpact Pennsylvania’s Susan Phillips reports the Department of Environmental Protection is investigating.

Philadelphia has joined three suburban communities to challenge the state’s moratorium on “plastic bag bans.” The lawsuit, filed March 3 in Commonwealth Court, says the state’s actions are undemocratic. WHYY StateImpact Pennsylvania’s Susan Phillips reports.

Fracking for natural gas is now banned in Northeast Pennsylvania and southern New York state. The Delaware River Basin Commission voted Thursday to make permanent a long-standing, de-facto moratorium on gas drilling. WHYY StateImpact Pennsylvania’s Susan Phillips reports the move comes after a decade of debate and research.

The Supreme Court will hear an eminent domain case pitting the state of New Jersey against the PennEast pipeline company. The 116-mile line would ship Marcellus Shale gas from Northeastern Pennsylvania. WHYY StateImpact Pennsylvania's Susan Phillips reports New Jersey seeks to block the project on public land.