The Allegheny Front

An alleged bribery scandal at the highest levels of Ohio politics produced a clean air bill that benefitted nuclear and coal plants over renewables. Plus, how important are environmental issues for voters as they head to the polls in November? And a one-of-a-kind prairie habitat in Pennsylvania is home to an endangered rattlesnake and a lot of wildflowers.

Following Pennsylvania shale gas to Scotland, where ethane is being made into plastic. We also delve into the Scottish fracking debate and how they're dealing with plastic pollution. News about a green stimulus plan for Pennsylvania and reimagining Appalachia with a clean, sustainable future for all. 

Changing bird names tied to racism and colonialism. What recent court rulings against major pipelines mean for 'energy dominance,' the environment and Indigenous rights. A trip to Ice Mountain where rare plants grow and cool air seeps out of ice vents deep in the rocks.

The race to save a plant so rare, few have ever seen it. Native plants can create habitat yard by yard. The combo of an invasive shrub and mice could be bad for future forests. News about the Ohio ethane cracker, tax breaks for natural gas and one of Trump’s biggest environmental rollbacks yet. 

Environmental health advocates weigh in on the grand jury report that says the state didn’t do enough to protect residents from the industry. Plus a court says the federal government needs to step up to regulate coke ovens. And climate activist Bill McKibben on why divesting from fossil fuels makes financial sense.

Kayaking gives a new appreciation for rivers. Coal communities banking on recreation face the pandemic. How Moraine State Park was formed out of the ashes of industry. Pa. Department of Health reacts to a scathing grand jury report on fracking and U.S. Department of Energy touts coal and natural gas. Plus, Mud Day!

The results of a grand jury investigation into Pa.'s natural gas drilling industry calls out the entire state government in both parties for the last 12 years for being negligent on fracking. How the environmental movement, from organizations to funders, are responding for calls for racial justice.

What's the legacy of the Trump administration's 100 environmental rollbacks? We talk with a lawyer tracking the changes. Pennsylvania attorney general charges two companies with crimes related to their fracking operations. Minerworkers' unions sue Trump admin. over a lack of safety rules for COVID-19.

Reforesting minelands, a second time around. Why the Yough River is on the Most Endangered Rivers list.  A 16-year old activist says there's no time left for moderate climate policies. Pa. GOP wants to stop the state from joining a trading for carbon emissions.

#BlackBirdersWeek sparks joy for black birders. Can the environmental movement address racism? We talk with an environmental justice leader. Ticks that carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease are in Pittsburgh parks. Pa. House Speaker Mike Turzai accepted $11K flight from businessman with fracking-related companies.