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Matthew Shorraw
Oct 159 min read

Pollution in PA: Read before you vote!

With fewer than 25 days until US Election Day on November 5th, there are urgent environmental issues facing voters in Pennsylvania. Despite the state’s reputation for supporting fracking, recent polls show that 90% of Pennsylvanians favor stricter fracking regulations, with 79% worried about the impact of pollution on their health and over 80% worried about water and air pollution. Fracking, which is linked to childhood cancer and low birthweight babies, provides just 12,000 jobs for Pennsylvanians out of 6 million workers, or 0.2% of the workforce.


Climate change, clean air and water, environmental justice, the transition away from fossil fuel to clean energy, and many more climate issues are all on the ballot this year.


Here is a list of Pennsylvania’s most pressing climate issues and our proposed solutions. Not all candidates have expressed positions on each of these issues, but by reading about the candidates and using this guide, voters can assess which candidates will have both the ability and the commitment to support Pennsylvania’s environment and public health.


PILLAR I: Air Quality and Pollution


ISSUE: Fracking

 

To address the impact of fracking on air quality and pollution in Pennsylvania, policies should establish stricter emissions standards by requiring the installation of Vapor Recovery Units (VRUs) and methane capture systems. These technologies would limit the release of pollutants, helping to mitigate the environmental and health effects associated with fracking operations.

 

ISSUE: Abandoned Gas Wells

 

To address the issue of abandoned gas wells and their impact on air quality and pollution in Pennsylvania, policies should focus on creating dedicated funds for plugging these wells. This can be achieved by leveraging federal grants, increasing fees for drillers and operators, and implementing bonding requirements. The collected funds would be used to establish a permanent fund to plug abandoned wells, while also ensuring that new wells are managed responsibly to prevent future abandonment.

 

ISSUE: Landfills

 

To address the impact of landfills on air quality and pollution in Pennsylvania, policies should establish enhanced monitoring and reporting by mandating the installation of air monitors at landfill sites. Making data on landfill emissions publicly accessible would improve transparency, enable better regulatory oversight, and ensure that communities are informed about local air quality concerns.

 

ISSUE: Particulate Matter

 

To address particulate matter and improve air quality in Pennsylvania, policies should promote renewable energy by encouraging rooftop solar initiatives. Additionally, shutting down or retrofitting remaining coal plants would significantly reduce pollution and contribute to cleaner, healthier air across the state.


ISSUE: Vehicle Emissions

 

To improve air quality and reduce pollution from vehicle emissions in Pennsylvania, policies should promote clean fuels by creating a low-carbon fuel standard program. This program would help cut emissions from traditional fuel-powered vehicles, fostering the use of cleaner, more sustainable fuel options to improve environmental and public health.


PILLAR II: Water Quality and Ground Contamination

 

ISSUE: Fracking

 

To address the impact of fracking on water pollution and ground contamination in Pennsylvania, policies should mandate full public disclosure of all chemicals used in the fracking process. Additionally, developing a state chemical database that outlines the health risks associated with each chemical would enhance transparency, inform the public, and help mitigate the environmental and health risks associated with fracking activities.


ISSUE: Chemical and Industrial Waste

 

To address chemical and industrial waste-related water pollution and ground contamination in Pennsylvania, policies should require groundwater monitoring through sensors placed near at-risk industrial sites. Additionally, mandating statewide baseline water quality testing before any waste discharge would provide critical data to detect and prevent contamination, ensuring that industrial activities do not compromise groundwater quality and public health.


ISSUE: Landfills

 

To address landfill water pollution and ground contamination in Pennsylvania, policies should require regular testing and monitoring of leachate quality to detect and prevent harmful pollutants from entering the environment. Additionally, increasing fines, penalties, and enforcement of violations for landfills that improperly handle waste would promote better practices and ensure greater accountability, reducing the risk of water pollution and ground contamination.       

 

ISSUE: Lead Pipes

 

To address the issue of lead exposure in Pennsylvania, a comprehensive statewide lead pipe replacement program is essential. Partnering with federal agencies and programs already working to replace lead lines will help extend these efforts, particularly to smaller communities that may lack resources. Providing grants and low-interest loans to municipalities will support the cost of replacement, making the process more feasible. Additionally, developing a statewide lead line replacement strategy that prioritizes at-risk areas first will ensure that the most vulnerable communities are protected from lead exposure promptly.


ISSUE: PFAS


To address PFAS contamination in Pennsylvania, policies should mandate the remediation of sites where these harmful chemicals are present. Establishing state-specific PFAS drinking water maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) would help ensure safer water standards for residents. Additionally, implementing statewide testing and monitoring of public water systems would enable early detection and prompt action to mitigate PFAS exposure, protecting public health and ensuring clean water access.

 

PILLAR III: Environmental Justice


ISSUE: Access to Clean Water, Healthcare Disparities, Land Use Policies, Hazardous Waste Storage and Industrial Contamination.

 

Access to clean water, healthcare disparities, land use policies, hazardous waste storage, and industrial contamination disproportionately impact low-income, minority, and rural areas in Pennsylvania. To address these issues, it is essential to develop more equitable policies that prioritize vulnerable communities, allocate funding to support essential services and infrastructure, and encourage active citizen participation in decision-making processes. This comprehensive approach would help combat these disparities and promote a healthier and more equitable environment for all residents.

 

PILLAR IV: Climate Change and Energy Transition

 

ISSUE: Dependence on Fossil Fuels

 

To reduce dependence on fossil fuels in Pennsylvania, policies should aim for higher renewable energy targets by setting ambitious yet achievable benchmarks. Incentivizing clean energy development would drive investment and growth in renewable energy sectors. Additionally, upgrading and expanding transmission lines is essential to support the increased capacity and distribution of renewable energy, ensuring a reliable transition away from fossil fuels and toward a sustainable energy future.

 

ISSUE: Energy Equity and Burden

 

To address energy equity and burden in Pennsylvania, policies should support community solar initiatives for low-income residents. Updating state laws to allow energy sharing would enable broader access to renewable energy sources. A portion of community solar projects should be specifically set aside for low-income residents to ensure equitable participation. Additionally, providing residential solar credits for those who contribute extra electricity through community solar programs would further encourage participation and reduce energy costs for vulnerable populations.

 

ISSUE: Poor Natural Gas Infrastructure

 

To address poor natural gas infrastructure in Pennsylvania, policies should focus on increasing controls over methane emissions. This includes conducting quarterly inspections to identify and address leaks promptly and requiring mandatory reporting of emissions to ensure transparency and accountability. Additionally, establishing statewide methane emission limits would set clear standards for reducing pollution, enhancing environmental protection, and improving air quality across the state.


ISSUE: Transportation Emissions

 

To address transportation emissions in Pennsylvania, policies should focus on enhancing and expanding public transit. This includes increased funding for public transit systems to improve service and coverage. Electrifying public transit systems would significantly reduce emissions and promote sustainability. Additionally, providing subsidized public transit for low-income residents would ensure accessibility and encourage broader use of environmentally friendly transportation. Expanding bus, train, and light rail networks would further reduce reliance on personal vehicles, lowering overall emissions and contributing to cleaner air and more sustainable communities.

 

ISSUE: Low Renewable Energy Development

                                    

To address the issue of low renewable energy development in Pennsylvania, policies should aim to incentivize investment in renewables. This can be achieved by developing grant programs to support community solar projects, providing solar investment tax credits to reduce the financial burden on developers and homeowners, and establishing production incentives for clean energy creation. Together, these strategies would encourage greater adoption of renewable energy sources, foster local clean energy projects, and contribute to the state's overall sustainability goals.

 

PILLAR V: Infrastructure Resiliency

 

ISSUE: Aging Sewer Systems

 

To address aging sewer systems in Pennsylvania, policies should focus on providing funding for municipal improvements, particularly targeting areas where combined sewer systems are at risk of overflow. Improving these systems is essential to prevent contamination and environmental damage. Additionally, implementing sensors and automated flow controls would enhance the management of sewer systems by stopping runoff from entering rivers and streams, ultimately protecting water quality and public health.

 

ISSUE: Increased Risk of Landslides

 

To address the increased risk of landslides in Pennsylvania, policies should include comprehensive landslide hazard mapping to identify high-risk areas accurately. Creating a statewide database would centralize information on landslide-prone regions, aiding in risk assessment and mitigation efforts. Additionally, developing detailed landslide response plans would ensure that communities are prepared to respond effectively to landslide events, minimizing damage and enhancing public safety.


ISSUE: River and Stream Flooding

 

To address river and stream flooding in Pennsylvania, policies should aim to improve and maintain existing locks and dams to enhance water management and flood control. Preserving buffer zones along waterways is also crucial, as these areas help absorb excess water, reduce erosion, and protect ecosystems. Additionally, providing support and funding for municipal storm sewer improvements would enhance local infrastructure to better manage stormwater, reduce flooding risks, and protect communities from the adverse impacts of severe weather events.


ISSUE: Energy Disruptions

 

To address energy disruptions in Pennsylvania, policies should focus on distributed renewable energy systems. This includes supporting and developing microgrids near critical infrastructure, such as hospitals and schools, to ensure a reliable and resilient power supply during outages. 


Establishing a grant program would provide the necessary funding and incentives for the development and implementation of these microgrids.39 Additionally, creating a statewide energy resilience plan40 would help coordinate efforts to strengthen the energy grid, enhance resilience, and promote the use of renewable energy sources across the state.


ISSUE: Agricultural Soil Erosion

 

To address agricultural soil erosion in Pennsylvania, policies should focus on a range of solutions. One approach is to incentivize the use of cover crops through a state-sponsored cover crop insurance program which would encourage farmers to plant protective crops that reduce soil erosion and improve soil health. Additionally, a grant program could be established to support farmers in planting native vegetation along property borders and streams, further preventing erosion and promoting ecological balance. Lastly, support for the construction of water diversion structures would help prevent the loss of fields from flooding, preserving agricultural land and enhancing resilience against extreme weather events.


Reference Materials

  • In the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania, new poll finds 90% of respondents support stricter fracking regulations

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