The Allegheny Front

We have the latest developments of the East Palestine train derailment that polluted the area with toxic chemicals. We report on a community meeting where tensions ran high as residents asked questions about air and water quality and health impacts. We ask if stricter regulations could have averted the East Palestine train derailment. 

Plus, a new memoir shares how the life of an environmental policy expert was informed by the work of a Pittsburgh environmental champion. And, we have news about a malfunction at the Shell ethane cracker that led to the flaring of chemicals at the plant.

Thousands of residents were allowed to return to their homes after an evacuation order was lifted following the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. We discuss what we know about air and water issues in the aftermath of the crash.

We also have reactions to a government report that finds many conventional oil and gas drillers in Pennsylvania aren't following regulations. Plus, lead from bullets is showing up in birds of prey that eat animals shot by hunters and farmers. We'll hear about solutions to the problem.

We also have news about an intent to sue Shell over air quality violations at its new ethane cracker, and an order from USEPA to a scrap metal recycler to limit emissions.

Can new recycling technologies that break plastics down into their chemical components save us from the plastic waste crisis? We talk with an environmental reporter about a new government study that casts doubt on so-called "advanced" plastic recycling.

The North Country National Scenic Trail has only about 20 known hikers who have trekked the entire 4,800 miles through eight states, including Pennsylvania. But in the farm country of northwestern Ohio, one more name is about to be added to the list.

One stop for some birds migrating south from Pennsylvania is the cloud forest in Costa Rica. But the cool, misty mountains are getting warmer and drier. We have a report on how birds there are adapting. Plus, closer to home, birders and naturalists oppose new development next to a wetland in Huntington County. They are trying to stop a truck stop from damaging the sensitive habitat.

January is National Radon Action month, and that means it's time to test your home for the radioactive, cancer-causing gas.

One way to reduce the carbon footprint of your home is to buy an electric heat pump. We look at the pros and cons of this climate solution. The National Weather Service wants the public to become “river ice spotters” to help monitor for ice jams on area rivers. Plus, Frick Park has a new resident: Castor the beaver.

We have news about new PFAS standards for drinking water in Pennsylvania, the Chesapeake Bay, and the new Pa. DEP secretary. Finally, scientists are hoping that sound can be the key to restoring oyster populations around the world.

State regulators call out the conventional oil and gas industry for a widespread failure to comply with Pennsylvania environmental regulations. And, an art exhibit aims to give trees the legal tools to protect themselves. Plus, we go forest bathing in Frick Park to improve our mental and physical health.

We also have news about a proposed new federal limit for soot, an investigation into a Christmas Day natural gas explosion, and Pa. Governor-elect Josh Shapiro's choice for DEP secretary.

Environmental groups say they found high levels of benzene in the air in the Mon Valley near Pittsburgh and want federal regulators to step in. Also, natural history museum specimens like mice stuffed with cotton and preserved for decades give researchers important information about the environment. But these collections are at risk. Plus, the US Postal Service reverses course and commits to converting its fleet of vehicles to electric.

This week, we're looking back to some of the environmental issues we covered in 2022, like hydrogen. It's been seen as the clean fuel of the future for decades. Now the Biden administration is putting money into it. So, is it finally hydrogen’s time? We'll also hear about towns in Pennsylvania trying to get ahead of climate change, extreme weather and flooding. Plus, we talk with the author of a new bird guide for enthusiasts and beginners alike.

This week, we revisit some of our favorite stories about nature, food and environmental champions. 2022 was the 60th anniversary of the publication of Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring," a book that questioned the indiscriminate use of synthetic chemicals and became an instant classic. We move from nonfiction to poetry that explores the damage people have done to each other and nature. Plus, we look at life along the Delaware River with an angler who is witnessing a changing landscape. And we talk with the author of a cookbook that offers vegan versions of Midwest comfort food.

Lawmakers in Ohio passed a bill to make it easier to frack in state parks, raising fears of pollution and disruption of outdoor recreation. We also follow up on the massive gas leak at a Cambria County storage site where the company failed to clean up oil and gas brine spilled on the ground.

Plus, we head out on a walk with Tree Pittsburgh to learn how to identify trees in the winter. We also have news about fines for a contractor for dumping gas waste around Fayette County, air pollution violations at Shell’s new ethane cracker, and a new program to help farmers make money. And, we find out why Cabot Oil and Gas, which just pleaded no contest to 15 criminal charges, including nine felonies for polluting drinking water in Dimock, Pa., is allowed to frack under the town.