Poconos ski industry optimistic, despite coronavirus, mild winter forecast

Poconos ski industry optimistic, despite coronavirus, mild winter forecast

by Frank Kummer
Despite restrictions on dining and lodging due to the coronavirus, as well as another potential warm winter on the way, those who make their living off the Poconos ski industry are optimistic.
Feds’ updated winter forecast favors warmth here and in most of the nation, especially December

Feds’ updated winter forecast favors warmth here and in most of the nation, especially December

by Anthony R. Wood
In updating its December-through-February outlook, the Climate Prediction Center said the atmospheric tea leaves continue to favor a warmer-than-normal winter in much of the nation.
Feds’ updated winter forecast favors warmth here and in most of the nation, especially December

Feds’ updated winter forecast favors warmth here and in most of the nation, especially December

In updating its December-through-February outlook, the Climate Prediction Center said the atmospheric tea leaves continue to favor a warmer-than-normal winter in much of the nation.
Pennsylvania approves 5.2% PGW rate increase, but offers some relief to gas customers hit by pandemic

Pennsylvania approves 5.2% PGW rate increase, but offers some relief to gas customers hit by pandemic

by Andrew Maykuth
The rate increase gives $300 bill credits to customers slammed by COVID-19. But the PUC sidestepped demands from environmentalists to force PGW to plan for long-term climate impacts.
Pennsylvania approves 5.2% PGW rate increase, but offers some relief to gas customers hit by pandemic

Pennsylvania approves 5.2% PGW rate increase, but offers some relief to gas customers hit by pandemic

The rate increase gives $300 bill credits to customers slammed by COVID-19. But the PUC sidestepped demands from environmentalists to force PGW to plan for long-term climate impacts.
Philly residents frustrated as some see recycling still gets dumped with trash

Philly residents frustrated as some see recycling still gets dumped with trash

by Frank Kummer
Matt Gerst has watched for weeks from his South Philly home as Streets Department workers take his carefully separated recycling and dump it in with trash. He's had enough.
Philly residents frustrated as some see recycling still gets dumped with trash

Philly residents frustrated as some see recycling still gets dumped with trash

Matt Gerst has watched for weeks from his South Philly home as Streets Department workers take his carefully separated recycling and dump it in with trash. He's had enough.
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U.S. greenhouse gas emissions set to drop to lowest level in three decades

U.S. greenhouse gas emissions set to drop to lowest level in three decades

by Steven Mufson, The Washington Post
Greenhouse gases generated by the U.S. economy will slide 9.2% this year due to the pandemic's impact on the economy. However, carbon dioxide from forest fires limited that reduction.
Peco pulls the plug on Smart A/C program, which saved power during heat waves

Peco pulls the plug on Smart A/C program, which saved power during heat waves

by Andrew Maykuth
Peco ends a program that paid customers who let the utility to shut off their air conditioners for 15-minute intervals to curtail energy demand.
When you text the Squidmobile, this Fishtown scientist texts back squid words of wisdom | We The People
We The People

When you text the Squidmobile, this Fishtown scientist texts back squid words of wisdom | We The People

by Stephanie Farr
Sarah McAnulty uses her Squidmobile to make science, and scientists like herself, more accessible.
Hurricane Iota, the season’s first Category 5 storm, could bring 30 inches of rain to Central America

Hurricane Iota, the season’s first Category 5 storm, could bring 30 inches of rain to Central America

by Anthony R. Wood
Iota has become the strongest hurricane of a record season. It is due to make landfall near where Eta did two weeks ago.
With climate challenges looming, Seth Shapiro faces a tough balancing act at Philadelphia’s gas utility

With climate challenges looming, Seth Shapiro faces a tough balancing act at Philadelphia’s gas utility

by Andrew Maykuth
Shapiro will take over at PGW when the company is under increasing pressure from climate activists to move away from fossil fuel.
Conservatives value personal stories more than liberals do when evaluating scientific evidence

Conservatives value personal stories more than liberals do when evaluating scientific evidence

by Randy Stein, Pomona Alexander Swan and Michelle Sarraf, The Conversation
The findings add nuance to a common claim that conservatives want to hear “both sides” of arguments, even for settled science that’s not really up for debate.
N.J. sues chemical maker Solvay for evading responsibility for toxic pollution from West Deptford plant

N.J. sues chemical maker Solvay for evading responsibility for toxic pollution from West Deptford plant

by Jacob Adelman
The complaint marks the latest attempt by New Jersey regulators and prosecutors to hold companies to account for the noxious legacy of the state’s heavy-industrial past.
With legalization come hopes that cannabis could be a lucrative crop in New Jersey

With legalization come hopes that cannabis could be a lucrative crop in New Jersey

by Frank Kummer
New Jerseyans overwhelmingly approved the recreational use of marijuana, and that could reshape the state’s agriculture from tomatoes to THC.
Llama 'nanobodies’ may yield COVID-19 treatment, Pitt scientists say

Llama 'nanobodies’ may yield COVID-19 treatment, Pitt scientists say

by Tom Avril
These small cousins of antibodies are being studied for possible use in humans.
New Jersey bans single-use plastic and paper bags in law hailed as nation’s most stringent of its kind

New Jersey bans single-use plastic and paper bags in law hailed as nation’s most stringent of its kind

by Frank Kummer
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill Wednesday that prohibits the sale of single-use plastic carryout bags, paper bags, and polystyrene foam containers, as well as limits use of plastic straws.
Horseshoe crabs are bled by the thousands for medical tests every year. Some fear an escalation due to COVID-19.

Horseshoe crabs are bled by the thousands for medical tests every year. Some fear an escalation due to COVID-19.

by Frank Kummer
More than 750,000 horseshoe crabs are used annually for biomedical bleeding, says a group that fears that will get much worse as countries ramp up for a coronavirus vaccine.
Climate activists are turning out Pa. voters to flip the state House — and boost Biden

Climate activists are turning out Pa. voters to flip the state House — and boost Biden

by Justine McDaniel
Even in a pandemic, advocates say climate change has never gotten so much attention during an election.
Pennsylvania DEP official: Trusting Sunoco Pipeline ‘has come back to bite us’ again and again

Pennsylvania DEP official: Trusting Sunoco Pipeline ‘has come back to bite us’ again and again

by Andrew Maykuth
“We basically said, `Enough is enough,'" said Domenic Rocco, director of regional permit coordination for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
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